Stories of making skills aspirational: Skill story of PMKK Centers of Orion Edutech

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras (PMKKs) are playing an important role in making skill-based learning aspirational by enhancing employability of youth in India. In this Skill Story, we capture the positive impact of PMKKs centers from Orion Edutech in an interview with Manish Agarwal, Managing Director, Orion Edutech. Let us know more about how these PMKKs impacting livelihoods and enhancing careers through skill development as per industry requirements, using modern infrastructure and technology

Q: Tell us about the training conducted in your PMKK centre and your objectives.

A: We provide placement linked, short-term skill development training under the PMKVY Scheme for at least 5 job roles in our multi-skill training centres – PMKK Centres. These skill enhancement courses are industry endorsed and approved by respective Sector Skill Councils (SSCs).

We offer a mix of hand skills and platform skill courses. We select them as per the availability of job opportunities and aspirations of the candidates. We also provide training under Student Pay Model and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) sponsored courses in our training centres.

Our objectives are to establish and operate aspirational model skill training centres in 50 districts; to provide training and employment to over 2 lakh youth per year in our training centres; to ensure empowerment and provide sustainable livelihood to youth through holistic skilling guidance and counselling; to provide them with employment and self-employment opportunities through strong industry linkage and association with MUDRA Loan.

Q: What are the challenges you face and how do you overcome them?

A: We faced the following challenges: unavailability of quality trainers, low compensation offers, refusal of the students to migrate for better livelihood, and financial challenges of the students under the Student Pay Model.

• We developed extensive and regular Training of Trainers (ToT) and Trainer Development Programmes (TDPs) for our trainers. The Sector Skill Council equipped them with domain skills and our Master Trainers took care of their platform skill training.
• Our Content Team developed digital training modules for the TOT program so that the Facilitators could access them easily.
• We customised our courses as per the requirements of the industry. The Corporates slowly realised that the productivity of skilled manpower is higher than that of the unskilled candidates. In some cases, our candidates performed even better than the experienced employees.
• We evaluated the demand of manpower in the district and accordingly selected the courses. Moreover, we partnered with the employers who were ready to bear the living expenses (food, accommodation) of the candidates.
• We partnered with various financial institutions, Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) and Fintech Companies so that they provide skill loan to our students.

Q: What is the model you follow? Can you take us through the steps from when the students enroll to completion of the course and getting employed?

A: Our model provides demand-based, and industry endorsed training wherein we partner with industry, and local employers before setting up the training centre. We select the courses according to the demand of our industry partners, local employers, and the aspiration of youths in that district.

There are various steps in the skill life cycle of the candidates. The first and the most important step is career counselling wherein the candidate has to go through a well-designed counselling process. Our experienced Skill Sakhis analyse the details of our candidates, their aspiration and existing skill-set. Then, they offer them the courses accordingly.

The training is provided by our certified trainers. The Sector Skill Council equips them with domain skills and our Master Trainers take care of their platform skill training. The duration of the training is 8 hours per day which includes not only domain training but also training on life skills, financial literacy, soft skill, etc.

The Guest Trainers, Industry Experts conduct special classes for our candidates. Our Instructors take the students for industrial visits during the training period. Through meditation and yoga sessions, we bring out the best in our candidates. Once the training comes to an end; the candidates undergo on-the-job training (for 15-20 days) until they are placed. Owing to our multimedia-rich training content, our candidates are able to grasp the concepts better.

Our Training & Placement Managers conduct the internal assessments or Evaluation and Placement Audits (EPAs). Post EPA, we provide special training to our candidates as per the requirement of the prospective employers. Moreover, we provide support to the candidates aspiring for self-employment. After the completion of the training, the Sector Skill Councils conduct the assessments. The successful candidates are provided with employment and self-employment opportunities by us. We extend post-placement assistance for a minimum period of 6 months.

Q: In what ways have you created an impact through your programs?

A: We created considerable social and financial impact in respective districts and overall nation through different programs by creating sustainable training centres. We equipped them with modern machines, technology and tools to make our candidates stand out from the rest.

• 50 Model Aspirational Multi Skill PMKK Centers spread across 10 States in India and strong presence in difficult geographies like North East, J&K and LWE areas.
• We offered training for more than 42 job roles in 15 Sectors so that our candidates get a gamut of options to choose from.
• We ensured social equality, upliftment of standard/quality of Living. Also, we helped the marginalized youth and women to gain confidence by ensuring their economic independence.

Customer Testimonials

Success Stories from Orion Edutech – PMKK Darjeeling

Below are some short notes on the socio-economic impact made on the life of the candidate post skill development training from our PMKK in Darjeeling.

Reshma Darji from Bagrakote, West Bengal working in “Escenza Spa & Salon” Maharashtra. Training Completed in Beauty and Wellness Sector.

I am Reshma Darji. I lost my father at an early age and since then poverty was all what I saw and faced. My mother has worked day and night for our education and necessities. She nevertheless took well care of our family as well.

After 9^th Standard my family’s financial conditions took a worse turn and as an outcome I had to quit my education. One day my uncle visited our home and told me about the skill development training provided at Orion Edutech and that to free of cost under the PMKVY scheme.

On reaching I got to know about the various courses provided like- beauty, carpenter, retail F&B and lot more. After going through the details my uncle suggested me the ABT course. He told me that beauty sectors are providing cloud touching opportunity now-a-days. After getting enrolled I was provided with uniform and a study kit that was a part of my training. I was not only taught about the beauty sector but the soft skill classes also helped me improve my communication skills and uplift my confidence level. The classes were interesting and I attended my classes regularly without fail.

After completing the course, I was placed with one of the most renowned brand Escenza Spa & Salon with a package of 11,500. I am thankful to Orion Edutech for this wonderful opportunity. I am also thankful to the PMKVY scheme. I want people to do this course. Trust me Orion Edutech has life changing opportunities for you.

Archana Thapa from Sahudangi, West Bengal working in “O2 Spa & Salon” Hyderabad. Training Completed in Beauty and Wellness Sector.

My name is Archana Thapa. I was unable to continue my education after my father’s retirement due to insufficient fund.

I learned about Orion Edutech when some people visited our locality- distributed pamphlets and explained us about the free training provided there under the PMKVY scheme. Since childhood I had a keen interest in makeup and grooming- so why not transform your passion into your career. I took admission under the ABT Job Role. The training was worth my time and efforts. Practical and theory classes were backed by soft skill lessons as well. On completing the training, I got placed with “O2 Spa & Salon” as a tailor withdrawing a salary of 12,500 p.m. I am thankful to our hon’ble P.M Shri Narendra Modi for this wonderful scheme and all my teachers from Orion Edutech

Pratima Dhamala from West Bengal completed 8^th class, working in Escenza Spa & Salon, Maharashtra. Training Completed in Beauty and Wellness Sector.

My name is Pratima Dhamala. My nuclear family comprises of my parents and my little sister. My father works as a farmer and my mother a housewife. As it was not possible for my father to support a family of 4 with such a low income I had to quit schooling and start searching for a job to support my family financially.

Even after trying several times I never succeeded in getting a proper permanent job. Then one of my neighbors told me about free courses provided at Orion Edutech under the PMKVY scheme. I got myself enrolled under the ABT course. It was a 3-month course and on completing the same I got successfully placed with “Escenza Spa & Salon” with a salary of 11,500/-. I am thankful Orion Edutech for giving me this opportunity.