Date:01/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/01/stories/2008070150090200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Training that makes them job-givers

Staff Reporter

Underprivileged youth use skills learnt to become entrepreneurs

— PHOTO: R.RAGU

VALUE ADDITION: Students learn garment manufacturing technology at the Artyzan Vocational Academy in Chennai on Sunday.

CHENNAI: At 18, when most youngsters like her were hoping to get a college seat, K. Vijayalakshmi enrolled herself in a one-year vocational training course.

Today, she is an entrepreneur, and has started her own embroidery unit with 12 other girls trained like her. She is sure her income will pick up as her clientele network improves.

Vijayalakshmi was one of the 138 young men and women who received course completion certificates at the Artyzan - Vocational Academy where underprivileged youth, aged 17-21, are given vocational training for Rs.250 a month. Loyola College Rector Fr. Amal.K and Mittra Media India CEO C. Siddharth handed over certificates to them at an event held in the city on Sunday.

Training is provided in graphic design and DTP, Food and Beverage — production and service, leather goods manufacturing technology, garment manufacturing technology, fashion embroidery technology, etc. After completing the course, trainees have the option of working in one of the companies that recruit from the Academy or starting their own production unit.

For the less privileged, such vocational education is a good way to build a career as it helps them acquire useful skills, said Gilbert James, managing trustee of the Academy. He said the Academy also held classes for spoken and written English, computers, entrepreneurship skills and personality development.