Jharkhand, PANIIT Foundation join hands to skill the underprivileged

The Gurukul model of imparting vocational education and training across vulnerable and underprivileged section of the society in the state, initiated by the government of Jharkhand and PanIIT Alumni Foundation, has set up a precedent. 

During the last four years after the formation of this joint venture effort between the state government and Pan IIT Foundation, the initiative has already provided vocational education and trainings to over 20,000 youth (impacting over 120,000 lives) from the various parts of the state, including economically backward areas and, most importantly, all of them have been placed across industries. 

Under this model vocational education and trainings are being imparted through creation of residential Kalyan Gurukuls and Kaushal colleges. “In a short span of time, what we have achieved is simply remarkable,” informs B. Muthuraman, Chairman, PReJHA Foundation & Former Vice-chairman, Tata Steel. “While we have created the module and processes, the government of Jharkhand has played a progressive role in helping us build up such a robust system of imparting vocational education and training to a large pool of youth across the state, including economically weaker and backward areas. We are unique and appealing because, here, the emphasis is not just to skill these youth but also to provide them with the desired employment. In fact, since the industry needs skilled manpower and we partner with them even before enrolling the students into the course”. 

PReJHA Foundation or PanIIT Alumni Reach for Jharkhand (PReJHA) Foundation is a joint venture between PanIIT Alumni Reach for India Foundation (PARFI) and agencies of Department of Welfare (DoW), Government of Jharkhand. PARFI is a not-for-profit company and the nation building arm of the PanIIT India Alumni.

Over the last 10 years, the foundation has established successful collaborative models with governments and businesses as stakeholders and delivered at scale on a self-sustainable, job assured, loan funded, vocational skilling model enhancing the incomes and livelihood of the underprivileged. The foundation is managed by PanIITian professionals and domain experts and is overseen by an advisory board of PanIITian alumni and invitees from across corporate and academia.

Collaborative models

Having established this successful Gurukul model, PARFI, is now also looking at replicating the model in other states, such as in Bihar, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. “PanIIT Foundation has been working towards skilling using the Gurukul model, a residential, fit-for-purpose training in technical skills in sectors like construction, manufacturing, medical services and logistics,” affirms Muthuraman. “The emphasis is on practical experience for enhancing productivity, imbibing quality and ensuring safety. Training is imparted using latest technologies including simulators to create worksite like infrastructure”.

“The objective of PReJHA is to design, implement and scale, in an institutionalised manner across various districts of the state, initiatives for skill development and livelihood enhancement with a special focus on marginalised communities,” says a state government official.

In Jharkhand, PReJHA Foundation, in association with the state government, has set up 36 residential Kalyan Gurukuls and seven residential `Kaushal Colleges’ for underprivileged and tribal youth, with 100 per cent assured placements and loan financing. The Kaushal College (capacity: 2,500 students) initiative is geared towards enhancing competency for employability through 1-2 year vocational education courses under SCVT/SNRC in ANM nursing, manufacturing and culinary trades.

Kalyan Gurukul is the flagship initiative for assured placement-linked skill development of marginalised communities and Naxal affected areas. Gurukuls (capacity to annually train 7,500 students) are full time, short term, residential skill development centres imparting ‘Fit-for-Purpose’, 2-3 months training in varied trades including construction, manufacturing, logistics, technical services and apparel. 

Gurukuls are led by ex-servicemen, seek to infuse values and life skills, including discipline, financial and credit literacy, in addition to technical training. Even before Gurukul is set up, the foundation contracts employers for technically-skilled jobs, to assure placements. 

Apart from partnering with NSDC, PanIIT has joined hands with industry and government bodies, such as CII and NABARD. The latter provides 100 per cent financing to the students of the Gurukul through Nabard financial Services, its NBFC subsidiary. HPCL, Godrej Industries and Thriveni Earthmovers are Gurukul’s CSR patrons.