The document discusses employability skills training programs for underserved youth in India run by NIIT Foundation. It provides an overview of NIIT Foundation's initiatives including career development centers, district learning centers, and partnerships with NGOs and corporations to provide skills training. Key details include the number of students impacted, states covered, partner organizations, and employment outcomes. The newsletter aims to connect more individuals and organizations to NIIT Foundation's mission of improving skills and employability among marginalized groups.

1. Employability skills for underserved youth
News Letter Number 1
Jan 2012
The woodpecker is an amazing
bird that doesn’t hesitate to shake
up the calm, forces people to take
notice, and works at its goal with
single minded focus.

2. EDITORIAL
Inclusive Growth and Role of NIIT Foundation
Back in 2006, NIIT started a group called “Affirmative
Action”. The word originated from the perceived need of
building skills in SC and ST students so that they can take
up jobs in the organised sector, based on their merit rather
than on reservation. That was also a call of the Government
and Corporates and was visible in manifestos released by
organisations such as CII and FICCI.
Another interesting phenomena was that civil
Taking up the responsibility of driving Affirmative Action at service organizations were at work almost
NIIT, I started exploring what we could do in the area. We everywhere we went, and some had been in
began with very little clarity but a lot of passion on what we existence for a long time in some of the
wanted to do. We sought to distil out our target audience, areas. However, the impact was not visible though
our charter and our sustenance model. NIIT has globally each organization had great case studies. These
established competence in Education Delivery, Content were lessons for us on scale, impact and
Development and Technology for education and training sustainability of not-for-profit organizations.
for students across 40 countries worldwide. We decided to
start by finding out how best our core competencies could Through the last five years of exploring,
be leveraged to impact larger India. experimenting, running operations directly in slums
and small towns as well as working with other non-
This meant visiting rural India, talking to people already profit organizations – I believe we are now more
passionately engaged in similar development work and focused and clearer on what we want to do and
experimenting with ideas – old and new. We found that how we are to do it. We have a better picture
everyone, without exception, was happy with the idea that about the scale of the operations and we have a
NIIT would be doing something in the social direction for sustainability. We are an enabling
space. However, almost everyone had a different view of organization, building training content, enabling
what should be done and how it should be done. And on-ground NGOs, giving wings to social efforts of
that‟s precisely what made defining NIIT Foundation that other corporates, and providing means for
much more challenging and interesting. individuals to contribute to social development
meaningfully. Our projects are now firmly in place
The numbers were stark – less than 20% of India (primarily and we hope to start reaping the benefits of scale
urban) was creating more than 80% of the GDP - and the of reach and impact in the very near future.
facts were disturbing – rural to urban ratio had moved from
80:20 to 73:27 in the last 20 or so years. However, the This newsletter gives you a window into what we
population growth in urban areas was primarily in India‟s are doing and how we are doing it. Through this
slums! The visits to our country‟s interiors revealed that the newsletter, we hope to connect with more and
„divides‟ in their various forms were the real hindrances to more people and corporates and we are looking
India‟s inclusive growth. Casteism led to segregation of forward to views, critical inputs and support to take
population in terms of access to amenities and gender bias this mission forward.
led to differentiation in education for girls. Financial and
technical divides led to ignorance and inappropriate choices Best wishes
in education and, hence, frustration and downward spiral Neeraj Agarwal
for the youth of India.
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3. STUDENT SPEAK
Ravi Mehta : An Inspiration
After walking past the NIIT Foundation Center at Dasna
many times, Ravi Mehta finally mustered up the courage
to walk in and find out what courses were on offer.
Seventeen-year-old Ravi had just cleared his engineering
entrance exam, but could not join because of monetary
constraints. As the next best option, he wanted to enroll
for the technical courses at a Polytechnic Institute but to
afford the fees he knew he needed a job. So he enrolled
in the Foundation‟s four month job-oriented course.
Extremely shy by nature, Ravi initially found the highly
participative learning methodology daunting; however,
by the end of the first month, his perception changed
and his confidence started growing.
And then disaster struck. Mid-course, Ravi‟s father
became bedridden due to an accident caused injury.
Since his father was the sole earning member, Ravi
wanted to drop out to start earning immediately.
Understanding his predicament, the Foundation started
sending him for interviews while he continued the course.
None of the interviews resulted in a job but they helped
From above: him understand the importance of his course in the
School where Ravi completed his primary education. current job market. Therefore, he decided to stay on till
His mother and Ravi at their home he finished the course.
in Dasna, U.P.
Today, Ravi is employed with KFC and has also received a
scholarship for his desired course at his coveted
polytechnic.
Ravi, who now envisions working as a manager in a few
years, says “Now I can meet new people confidently. I can
even face any interview and talk very professionally.”
NIIT Foundation, Dasna center has been set up
in partnership with Hindustan Coca Cola Read the detailed story at
Beverages Pvt. Ltd. and Gram Niyojan http://bit.ly/whr4tf
Kendra, Dasna
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4. PARTNER SPEAK
Jindal Stainless Limited has established training centers with NIIT
Foundation (NF) at Jajpur (Orissa) and Hisar (Haryana). NF programs are
flexible, and the centers offer tailor-made solutions to match the needs of
the communities and the objectives of the corporate that extend CSR
activities. We chose NIIT Foundation as a partner because of their proven
delivery mechanism, the obvious altruistic reputation in skilling
communities and their focus on making the under-served youth
employable.
There is a need to create many more such centers that would provide an
opportunity to the economically backward. NF centers are empowerment
hubs that impart targeted technical and practical orientation to the
marginalized. Socially responsible corporations should encourage such
initiatives in areas of their operations and influence.
Rajiv Williams
Corporate Head - CSR
Jindal Stainless Limited
Millions are still waiting…
Sponsor a career for youth, a livelihood for a family and hope for the nation!
Get in touch with us at: Giving@niit.com
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5. SPECIAL MENTION
Volunteering Organization
ISR (Individual Social Responsibility) is a new concept that in-
transition countries are adopting along with CSR (Corporate Social
Responsibility). NIIT Technologies Limited (NTL) is one of the
pioneering organizations that are combining the two by encouraging
employee volunteering in the social sector. In the last 4 months, more than 100 NTL
employees have contributed time and money to the NIIT Foundation youth, positively
impacting their lives and, consequently, improving their own.
Reduced stress levels, an improved happiness index and employee
loyalty are some of the results achieved along with contributing to the
loftier goal of nation building. The employees register online through
an internal portal called IGive and avail a paid leave of 4 working days
to work with a social initiative of their choice. At NIIT Foundation, most
volunteers have been engaging in activities related to teaching, creative
writing, awareness spreading and fundraising.
I guess there is all what we volunteers
need (at NIIT Foundation)...this is an
awesome platform for us to showcase
knowledge and skills we have to make
these students perfectly ready for their
future.
Kanika Sharma
NIIT Technologies Ltd.
Take the step!
Use NIIT Foundation as a platform to contribute to social change!
Write to us at Giving@niit.com to change India for the better.
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6. PROJECT UPDATES
NIIT Foundation (NF) is a not-for-profit education society that makes critical
interventions towards upgrading the skill base and employability of the
marginalized youth in urban slums and rural areas. In addition, it works with other
NGOs to offer NF Certification to the NGO‟s beneficiaries.
Career Development
District Learning Centers
Centers (CDCs) cater to the
(DLCs) focus on imparting em- skilling needs of the vast
ployability skills to under-
employable population residing in
privileged, non-working graduates
urban slums. CDCs are currently
in rural areas. DLCs are currently
functional in Delhi-NCR, Jaipur,
functional in Madhya Pradesh.
Mumbai, UP and other cities.
Urban Slum
Rural Youth Youth
DU SC/ST
Students NGOs
Synergy Project set up in NReach builds capacity among
partnership with CII and Delhi NGOs by providing structured
University, focuses on building courseware, training NGO trainers
employability skills of the Distance and providing trainer and student
Education students at Delhi certifications. This program is
University, with a special focus on offered nationwide.
the SC/STs.
Performance Areas Results in Last Four Years
NIIT Foundation centers 22
Indian states covered 10
Students impacted 27793
NGO partners 75
Volunteer hours 4120
Girl students 43%
Students placed 78%
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7. GET CONNECTED
At NIIT Foundation, we are building a sustainable model that can provide
employable skills to the underserved youth in urban slums and rural areas. Being a
pioneering effort, it requires us to constantly walk the tight rope between low costs
and high quality and outreach.
Join our mission by sponsoring a needy student, volunteering to spread awareness
in communities, or connecting us to your network. You can start by sharing this
newsletter with all your friends. We look forward to meeting you.
From left: Vandana, Bhupesh, Tulika, Amar, Rinky, Satanjib, Sapna, Swati and Amit
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8. CENTERS
Noida-51: Lavkush Market, near Post Office, main road Hoshiyarpur,
Sector 51, Noida -201301, Tel: 9811597208; Begumpur : Basti Vikas
Kendra, Behind Begumpur Bus-stop, Malviya Nagar, Begumpur -110017,
Ph. 40580305; Paharganj: 9329/1, Gali No.7, Multani Dhandha, Paharganj
- 110055, Ph. 47506874, 47506873; Prem Nagar : I-180, Prem Nagar II,
70Ft Road, Kirari, New Delhi -110086, Ph. 25185560; Gurgaon : Vishwas
Vidyalaya, Sector 46, near Unitech Cyber Park, Gurgaon -122001, Ph.
7838177728; Mangolpuri: L-625, DDA Flats, (near Mother Dairy)
Mangolpuri, Delhi Ph. 011-27918987; Sangam Vihar : Green Aravali
School, I-4/35, Ratiya Marg, Sangam Vihar, New Delhi -110062, Ph.
26043709; Sunder Nagri: N-25/26, Sunder Nagri, New Delhi -110093, Ph.
22597745; Madanpur Khadar: H. No. 272, Chauhan Muhallah, Madanpur
Khadar -110076, Ph. 29947891; Noida, Steria: D-134, Noida Public
Library Premises, Sector -15, Noida, Steria, Phone : 0120-4346701/02;
Civil Lines: No. 2 Raj Niwas Marg, near Shah Auditorium, Civil Lines, New
Delhi, Ph: 23982620; Ghaziabad: Gram Niyojan Kendra, Adhyatmik Nagar,
Opp. IMS Engg. College. Dasna, Ghaziabad, Ph: 7838177728;
Nizamuddin: MCP School, Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti, Delhi -110013. Ph:
9818942279; Gharoli: C-548, Harijan Basti, Gharoli Extension -110096, Ph.
22628857; Brahmpuri : C-185/36, 1st Floor, Above MTS Office, Main
Brahmpuri Road Delhi -110053, Ph. 22560344; Jawahar Nagar: 2/600,
Jawahar Nagar, Opp. Sanatan Handa Ki Gali, Near Satya Sai College,
Jaipur, Ph: 0141-2650554; Shastri Nagar: DD-82, Vishvakarma Colony,
Nahari ka Naka, Shastri Nagar, Jaipur, Ph: 0141-2309699; Jajpur: JSL
Institute of Industrial Training, Trijanga rehabilitation colony, P.O.
Danagadi Jajpur 755026, Ph: 07735565556; Mumbai:FSC-1,1st floor
shopping complex, opposite Airport high school, New Airport Colony,
(opposite Hanuman road) Airport Authority of India, Vila Parle East
Mumbai- 400099, Ph: 09619619074; Hisar: JINDAL INSTITUTE OF
INDUSTRIAL TRAINING, (Formerly Stainless Skill Training Institute -
Prerana), 126 Green Square Market, Hisar - 125 005, Ph: 07206790140;
Chhindwara DLC: NIIT District Learning Center, near FCI warehouse
Seoni road, Chhindwara Madhya Pradesh- 480002, Ph: 0716 2232228,
0716 2232229; Barkuhi DLC: Barkuhi old VTC building, near SBI Barkuhi,
Madhya Pradesh- 480447, Ph: 0716 1263334
Project Director
NIIT Foundation
8, Balaji Estate, Kalkaji,
New Delhi - 110019, India
Email: niitaffirmativaction@niit.com, Giving@niit.com,
Partner@niitfoundation.org
Facebook :http://www.facebook.com/NIITAffirmativeAction
Office: +91-11-4167-5000, FAX: +91-11-4167-5178
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