GMR Varalakshmi Foundation (GMRVF), the corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm of GMR Group, which runs the international airport here, has signed up with global firms like Volvo, Schneider Electric, Jaquar and others to enhance skill training capacities in Hyderabad and Delhi.
A new dormitory block for 200 trainees here, and classrooms and hostel blocks in the nation’s capital have been built to accommodate youngsters getting trained under the ‘Gifted Children Scheme’ where select meritorious children from socio-economically weaker families are financially supported from class one till their first job.
While 7,000 students have received this support so far, 25 children in Delhi and 12 in Hyderabad were freshly chosen. That apart, launch of new mobile medical units in Goa and Delhi, starting of new vocational training courses for cooks and stewards form part of the silver jubilee celebrations of the foundation, said Group chairman G.M. Rao.
The GMRVF works for underprivileged communities and social causes in 29 locations and 200 habitations in India and Nepal. A significant initiative has been the GMR Varalakshmi Centre for Empowerment and Livelihoods in Shamshabad, which began with 400 youth to around 1,000 trained every year in 10 different courses.
“We have trained over 9,500 youth with 90% placement record and have tied up with Voltas, Hero MotoCorp, Everest Industry, Maruti Driving School, etc. for quality training, joint certification and placement support,” he said, in an e-mail response.
Focus is also on soft skills with regular classes on yoga, English, computer education, personality development, etc. Skilling activities are available at Raikal and Nagaram in Jagtial and Sircilla districts, respectively, as well Muchintal, Ranga Reddy district.
The airport has also provided space for ‘empower’ products like jute bags, paper products, and others by trained women of the neighbouring villages. “Turnover of SHG initiative has reached around ₹75 lakh and participating women are able to earn around up to ₹12,000 every month,” he said.
