CSR: Offering an Impetus to Skill Development

Rubber Skill Development Council

New Delhi: Rubber, Chemical and Petrochemical Skill Development Council – a sector skill council working under the aegis of Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) – hosted a webinar on ‘Transforming Skill Ecosystem with the Industry CSR’. The objective behind the webinar was to develop an understanding of skill requirements in the industry and how the industry can contribute their CSR for making India as skill capital of the world. The webinar witnessed distinguished industry speakers who shared their insights, Ms. Ranu Kulshrestha, Head CSR of Bridgestone India Pvt Ltd and Mr. Ravi Nayse, Vice President, Skill Development of Ambuja Cement Foundation, and the webinar was moderated by Mr. Anupam Bajpai, Chief Manager – CSR of JK Tyre.

Speakers believe that companies of both the private and public sectors have adequate scope to contribute and make an impact through their CSR programmes. This investment creates a win-win situation for industries by developing a skilled and efficient labour market and serving their social responsibility purpose as well. Further to this, Ms. Ranu Kulshrestha said that for the last several decades India is reeling under the crisis of a huge skill gap. The disparity between demand and supply of skilled manpower is a major impediment to national economic growth. With the reference of a survey, she added, lakhs of graduates come out from the university and college and around 54% of those youths are jobless, however, they are qualified, but not rightly skilled for the job.

Ms. Ranu Kulshrestha appreciated the CSR activity taken up under the project Tyre Carewala – an initiative by Bridgestone & RCPSDC. In this project, the unorganised sector of tyre fitters got trained on the modern techniques of tyre fitting and maintenance. They were also given hand-holding support in adopting modern tools. “Partnership and collaboration may play a vital role in augmenting the skilling efforts. And, involvement of corporate sector with their CSR initiative is the key for complementing and supplementing government’s action,” she added.

While Mr. Ravi Nayse believes that the corporate sector has several means and immense potential to influence the skilling ecosystem. Industries are coming forward for different CSR models for the implementation of skill development projects as per the current scenario. He also explained that companies have resources, infrastructure, machinery and expertise that can support the endeavour of skill development. Transfer of skill and knowledge to the next generation can best be performed by the industries. They know the changing market needs.

By up-skilling and re-skilling the youth, companies are facilitating future-ready skilled manpower for society. The availability of skilled manpower makes it easy for companies to increase their efficiency and productivity and to reduce their operational cost. CSR initiatives by companies for skill development will be very impactful, replicable and sustainable solutions towards strengthening the whole skilling ecosystem.

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