BACKGROUND
Millions of children are denied access to education every day. There are many reasons for this, but poverty is one of the main reasons. Many parents are financially unable to send their children to school, even if they want a good education for their children. The costs of food and transport often exceed the budget by far. In addition, many families are financially dependent on their children contributing to the family’s income. The lack of education has a drastic effect on the lives of those involved. They have little chance of breaking out of the spiral of poverty, as they usually struggle their way through life as unqualified day-labourers with odd jobs. Young people in particular are often forced to carry out hard physical work, or even poorly paid work that is actually harmful to their health. The situation is most difficult for single mothers, who, without a husband and family, have no social status. They have little chance of finding work, feeding their children and sending them to school.
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS TRAINING CENTRES
GRADUATES 2023: 1’310
In 2008, Usthi launched a project in Hyderabad that provides young people without school-leaving qualifications with vocational training and thus gives them and their families better prospects for the future. The young people can qualify in professional skills training courses in various occupational fields. The courses are designed in such a way that people without any education can successfully enter the labour market in a relatively short time. To this end, the courses focus primarily on the practical aspect of training and are geared to the needs of the labour market. The vocational training centre offers basic and advanced courses in the fields of computers, textile processing and cosmetics. Parallel to the specialist courses, the young trainees can attend English conversation or computer courses. English and computer skills are now important prerequisites for finding a good job in India. In 2019, more than 1,200 young people completed the training. Through active advertising in the local area, many companies were motivated to hire course graduates directly. 89 % of the young men and women find permanent employment directly after completing their vocational training or start their own small businesses. In response to the increased demand for medical staff due to the corona pandemic, two courses in the medical field are offered since September 2021. Young women and men can now train to become Health Workers or Medical Lab Technicians.
TECHNICAL SKILLS TRAINING CENTRES
Because the courses are so successful, Usthi expanded its offer to include technical skills training in the summer of 2018. Since then, young people can train as electricians, plumbers or metal workers. This has created around 150 new training places per year and we can support even more young people in successfully entering the world of work.
The Skills Training Project is supported by the UsitawiNetwork Foundation, the Migros Aid Fund and the Swisslos Lottery Fund Appenzell Ausserrhoden.
