The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) is taking measures to improve the living conditions of people residing in slums by providing them with training in various fields. Along with carrying out civic developmental projects, GHMC has collaborated with the Lighthouse Community Foundation (LCF) to offer skill development and upgradation training to unemployed youth from economically weaker sections. The aim is to train 500 individuals annually.
The joint skill training centre established by GHMC and LCF at the GHMC Model Market building in Huda colony, Chandanagar, under Serilingampally zone was inaugurated by Mayor Gadwal Vijayalakshmi on Monday. This marks the beginning of the first lighthouse programme in Telangana. The Deputy Mayor Mote SrilataShobhan Reddy, local MLA, and others were present at the inauguration.
The training programme has been initiated on a pilot basis in Serilingampally, and based on its success, it will be implemented in over 1,400 slums in a phased manner. 500 beneficiaries will be trained every year as part of this project. An official from GHMC stated that “GHMC jurisdiction has over 4,800 colonies and 1,400 notified and non-notified slums. To improve the living standards of slum dwellers, this employment generation programme is being taken up.”
Mayor Gadwal Vijayalakshmi stated that LCF is working towards empowering youth who do not have the opportunity to grow in society. It is enhancing skill development, increasing job opportunities, and providing opportunities to start their own businesses. She added that through the GHMC UCD department, areas inhabited by low-income city dwellers will be enrolled in the program by conducting wide awareness programmes.
The training programme offers courses in tailoring, beautician skills, retail management, personality development, and communication skills to young men and women between the ages of 18 and 35. So far, 150 people have registered for training, and 36 have secured placements and are earning between Rs 12,000 to Rs 15,000 per month.
The identified youth and women will be trained in various fields such as accounts executive, investment banking, software development and testing, web development, nursing assistant, electrician, beauty and wellness, and IT and ITES, including Java, Data Entry, non-voice Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), web designing, computer hardware, etc.
The CEO of Lighthouse, Ruchi, mentioned that through Lighthouse, they are providing encouragement and training to youth to choose a good career. She added that 1.3 lakh youth across the country have benefited from the foundation.
