World Youth Skills Day: BALCO’s Vedanta Skill School empowers youth with specialized skills training
Balconagar, 16th July 2024: Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO), India’s iconic aluminium producer and a part of Vedanta Aluminium, is driving socio-economic transformation in Chhattisgarh by upskilling more than 12,000 rural youth since 2010 through its Vedanta Skill School. To celebrate this milestone, BALCO commemorated World Youth Skills Day with over 100 trainees of Vedanta Skill School. The event featured a variety of activities, including competitions designed to nurture both personal and professional growth. The day also featured enthusiastic dance performances, fashion shows, cooking competitions, and the creation of electrical models, covering a range of technical and non-technical activities to engage students across various trades.
Kashish Yangde, a trainee in the solar PV installer trade, expressed her aspirations: “I sought financial independence and the ability to support my family. It’s immensely rewarding to have gained skills in the renewable energy sector, especially as it garners growing interest from companies and government bodies alike.”
Himanshu Kumar Sahu, a recent graduate from the fitter trade who has been placed in Aqua Pumps Limited, shared his transformative journey: “The 45-day training at Vedanta Skill School has been life-changing. The residential facilities were a significant advantage, providing a comprehensive and immersive learning experience. This training not only equipped me with the technical skills required for the job but also helped in my personal development. We received hands-on experience in understanding industrial operations as well as effective communication.”
Similarly, Tameshwari Patel, who is currently enrolled in the 45-day sewing machine operator course, shared her experience: “I have always been interested in sewing and used to make clothes for my dolls. When a friend told me about the Vedanta Skill School’s sewing program, I decided to join. The training has equipped me to turn my passion into a profession, empowering me to lead a self-sustaining life.”
Speaking about the transformative impact of the Vedanta Skill School initiative, Mr. Rajesh Kumar, CEO and Director of BALCO, said, “At Vedanta, sustainable livelihood development is central to our community efforts. Equipping our youth with the right skills and education is essential for shaping the future of Chhattisgarh and the nation at large. Vedanta Skill Schools has created pathways for local youth to acquire employable skills, helping them to ensure their financial security and comprehensive development. By empowering the youth, we contribute to the socio-economic growth of the region.”
Vedanta Skill School is a 5-star rated SMART centre by Govt. of India, accredited by National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and Sector Skills Councils (SSC). It offers free residential training in seven trades—Sewing Machine Operator, Electrician, Welding, Hospitality, Fitter-Leveling Alignment & Balancing, Solar PV Technician, and Mobile Repair Operator—lasting 45 to 65 days and following NSDC guidelines. The program emphasizes holistic development with sessions on communication, safety, legal rights, and menstrual health, and includes mentoring from experienced BALCO employees. In fiscal year 2024 alone, 1200+ individuals benefited from the program, 72% of whom were female. 100% placement is there in companies across India.
Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO) is India’s iconic aluminium producer. It is owned 51% by Vedanta Limited and 49% by the Government of India. BALCO is part of Vedanta’s Aluminium Business, a division of Vedanta Limited, which is India’s largest producer of aluminium, manufacturing more than half of India’s aluminium i.e., 2.37 million tonnes in FY24. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 1st in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023 world rankings for the aluminium industry, a reflection of its leading sustainable development practices. With its world-class aluminium smelters, alumina refinery and power plants in India, the company fulfils its mission of spurring emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow.
About Vedanta Limited
Vedanta Limited, a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources Limited, is one of the world’s leading Oil & Gas and Metals company with significant operations in Oil & Gas, Zinc, Lead, Silver, Copper, Iron Ore, Steel, and Aluminium & Power across India, South Africa, Namibia, and Australia. For two decades, Vedanta has been contributing significantly to nation building. Governance and sustainable development are at the core of Vedanta's strategy, with a strong focus on health, safety, and environment. Giving back is in the DNA of Vedanta, which is focused on enhancing the lives of local communities. Under the aegis of Vedanta Cares, the flagship social impact program, Nand Ghars have been set up as model anganwadis focused on eradicating child malnutrition, providing education, healthcare, and empowering women with skill development. Vedanta and its group companies have been featured in Dow Jones Sustainability Index 2020, and were conferred Frost & Sullivan Sustainability Awards 2020, CII Environmental Best Practices Award 2020, CSR Health Impact Award 2020, CII National Award 2020 for Excellence in Water Management, CII Digital Transformation Award 2020, ICSI National Award 2020 for excellence in Corporate Governance, People First HR Excellence Award 2020, ‘Company with Great Managers 2020’ by People Business and certified as a Great Place to Work 2021. Vedanta’s flagship Nand Ghar Project was identified as best CSR project by the Government of Rajasthan. Vedanta Limited is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange in India and has ADRs listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
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