Project MGL Hunar draws inspiration from age old proverb “Give a man a fish and you have fed him for a day, teach him to catch instead, and you have fed him for his entire lifetime.” Project MGL Hunar is designed as an enabling initiative which seeks to bridge the gap between the dearth’s of manpower that many industries are facing with the increasing challenge of unemployment. Being implemented in partnership with 3 organizations with specialization in vocational training, the project seeks to benefit youth from deprived communities. The project targets especially those youth who are severely confined owing to non-completion of education up to 10th standard. Skills augmentation training is extended to these youth on various trades with high employment potential.

To ensure success of the project, MGL has initiated a multipronged initiative which includes curriculum designing focusing on practical exposure, on -job training, safety training, facilitation of guest lectures, usage of industry standards raw material for training, up gradation of infrastructure in the training centre amongst others. The batches are designed for a duration of 3 months which includes both theoretical and practical learning. MGL facilitates on job training of youth on completion of theoretical training and also assists in placement of the youth. Employees from MGL also participate in the training through guest lectures on regular basis.

MGL has facilitated equipping of AV hall in one of the vocational training centre that it supports. The AV hall facilitates learning through digital platform on various trades. Pre-recorded lectures; site videos, etc. are played regularly to facilitate general requirement and expectations from the job. MGL has also integrated inputs on soft skills, Spoken English, personality development and basic computers to ensure that the trainees are equipped with necessary skills required for securing a job. Inputs on interview techniques are also organized on regular basis. The students are also trained to cook their own food. They are mentored to manage their finances properly for future security. An integral part of the initiative is community service and out bound activities. While the core focus of the project is on employability, it is desired that these youth have necessary leadership’s skill and empathy once they move out of the campus and are in job. Some of the community initiatives undertaken by students include cleaning of bus stop and temple, plantation, etc.

CAREER GUIDANCE WORKSHOPS

 “True Guidance is like a small torch in a dark forest. It does not show everything at once, but gives enough light for the next step to be safe.” Mahanagar Gas Limited under its intervention “MGL Hunar” has carried out various career guidance workshops for slum communities. During the workshop, the youth are explained about various employment options that they can explore. Simultaneously employability initiative of MGL is also highlighted during the workshop.

CASE STUDY

Vaibhav Manjare, Kiran Srisath and Nitesh Yadav, three youth hailing from Vishvi (Buldana), Gangapur (Aurangabad) and Virar respectively joined project MGL – Hunar for gas plumbing course. They said “Initially we were doubtful about prospect of the course. We knew about plumbing, but gas plumbing we had never heard about. When we approached Director of one of the vocational training centre supported by MGL, we were advised to opt for the gas plumbing trade. We were trained for 3 months on combined trade of RAC and Gas Plumbing.” It was rigorous yet entertaining training session. We enjoyed lots of outdoor activities in Karjat. During the course of the training many officials of MGL visited and apprised us about the trade. They also demonstrated various minute skills related to gas plumbing trade. After completion of our training, Mahanagar Gas Limited facilitated our placement with Futures Project. We are working in the gas plumbing sector for more than one year now. Our salary has also grown during this period. We hail from poor families with no proper education.

We could have picked up some odd job – we had no shelter and hardly any one to reach out to. Fortunately, while traveling in a local train we got the pamphlet which got us going. The training provided us the opportunity to earn and to lead a meaningful life. We are thankful to MGL for facilitating this change in our lives. We had faced some troubles initially but now we are sure that we will succeed in this trade. This helmet and jacket that MGL has given to us gives us a sense of pride. The trade is taking shape with various concepts like work at height training, on job training, medical fitness and other components integrating into the course module making for a robust employability initiative.