BALCO Empowers the Local Youth Through Holistic Development Initiatives
Balconagar. Recognizing the pivotal role of empowered youth in shaping the foundation of a prosperous nation, Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO), India’s iconic aluminium producer and a unit of Vedanta Aluminium, consistently demonstrates its dedication to empowering the youth by prioritizing skill development and educational support, along with engaging them through community outreach sessions.
At the heart of BALCO’s youth-focused initiatives is the Vedanta Skill School, a catalyst for transforming the lives of rural youth, school dropouts, and the unemployed populace. Since its inception, this initiative has positively impacted over 11,000 young individuals, equipping them with invaluable skills. The free residential training program covers six essential trades, providing technical education while placing a strong emphasis on life skills such as communication, safety, legal rights, and menstrual health.
Pratibha, a student at Vedanta Skill School who is now employed in a leading textile company, expressed her gratitude, stating, “Enrolling in the Vedanta Skill School has been one of the best decisions of my life. I am deeply thankful to BALCO and the school for making me financially independent, which is helping me take care of my family. The institute has been instrumental in transforming my life and making me self-reliant.”
BALCO has consistently strived to create a conducive learning environment for underprivileged youths by providing guidance and support to more than 2500 students in grade 10th and 12th through remedial classes, personalized tutoring, career guidance sessions, in addition to helping them with board exam preparations on SEMA subjects (Science, English, Mathematics, and Accounts) under its ‘Project Connect’.
Furthermore, through initiatives like ‘Science Mitras’ and summer & winter camps, employees from BALCO volunteer as mentors and facilitators for students, sharing their expertise and real-world insights to help students develop market-relevant skills, providing them with critical innovative and problem-solving mindset. This comprehensive approach ensures a well-rounded development of the youth.
Shivani Rathore, an eighteen-year-old student, who was part of Project Connect, said, “Project Connect played an instrumental role in my academic journey. With the support I received, I was able to score 86% in the 12th State Board Examinations. This initiative assisted me through regular and remedial English classes, significantly boosting my knowledge of the subject.”
Shivani also highlighted the profound impact of ‘Project Nayi Kiran’ on her life, an initiative that empowers young individuals to contribute to building a stronger community by raising awareness about the importance of menstrual health and its effective management. She stated, “Project Nayi Kiran has played a pivotal role in my overall development and heightened awareness regarding menstrual health. Today, I proudly serve as a Menstrual Health Management (MHM) leader, actively contributing to positive change within the community.”
Youth, often hailed as the torchbearers of change, hold a crucial role in shaping the values of the developing world. Hence, quality education and the right skills are critical in shaping the future of the nation. Realizing this, BALCO has demonstrated consistent commitment to implementing comprehensive skill development programs for its young employees, that constitute nearly 20% of the workforce, to align with the demands of the fast-paced global landscape. Through the production of aluminium – the ‘Metal of the Future’, BALCO’s young workforce is driving vital change, required to keep up with the ever-evolving world.
