ICICI Academy for Skills (ICICI Academy), an arm of ICICI Foundation for Inclusive Growth!
What do you call an initiative which aims at Enabling Livelihood, Enriching Lives? There could be multiple replies to this question – but the ONE I am stuck with as an observer is – Applaudable. We have heard or are linked with CSR activities (Corporate Social Responsibility) someway of the other. CSR is a management concept whereby companies integrate social & environmental concerns in their business operations. It is generally understood as being the way through which a company achieves a balance of economic, environmental and social imperatives.
Academy for Skill Training – Enriching Lives
ICICI Academy for Skills, an arm of ICICI Foundation, opened its first center in Mumbai, on 6th January 2016. The aim is to provide the skill training to youth from economically weaker sections of society. To help them enable the sustainable livelihood, a better and self-dependent living.
Last week, I got an opportunity to get a glimpse of ‘what happens inside the academy?‘ It was one of the best day’s of my life – witnessing the transformation. From an unfocused, distracted youth to Skilled, Trained & Technical Experts. Spending time with the students, teachers & center head gave me a sense of belonging with the academy. I came out with my head held high and a broad smile, to see the gigantic change these academies are bringing in the life of kids.
The idea behind ICICI Academy for Skills
CSR isn’t just donating or providing the needy. The truest form of Corporate-Social responsibility is providing a sustainable livelihood. Providing skills to the youth of our beloved country, make them employable, give them a direction. Enriching lives of underprivileged youth is as important as any other sector of the country.
As a step in this direction, ICICI Foundation launched a nationwide skill development initiative, ICICI Academy for Skills (ICICI Academy), in October 2013 to impart vocational training to the youth. Today these training academies are spread across length and breadth of India, enabling the youth of today. 24 in numbers – widely spread in urban & rural India and still many more in the pipeline.
In the words of Ms. Chanda Kochhar, MD & CEO, ICICI Bank
“We recognized skill development as an important area of focus as part of our efforts in the nation’s socio-economic development. Bridging the critical gap between manpower availability and employability is important to provide sustainable livelihood opportunities for all to grow and prosper.”
Training Programs & Details
Since October 2013, ICICI Academy has launched 24 centers across India. It has also set up centers under the public-private partnership (PPP) model with some State Governments. The Academy currently offers training under various vocations. Such as –
- Electrical & Home Appliance Repair,
- Refrigeration & AC Repair,
- Pumps & Motor Repair,
- Central Air Conditioning,
- Selling Skills,
- Office Administration,
- Web Designing,
- Retail Café Operations,
- Paint Application Techniques,
- Tractor Mechanic,
- Lab Assistant at Diagnostic Centres,
- Two & Three Wheeler Service Technician and
- Retail Sales.
Insights from the Mumbai Center
- The center offers five courses in-
- electrical & home appliance repair,
- refrigeration & AC repair,
- two & three wheeler service technician,
- selling skills and
- office administration.
- ICICI Academy for Skills has ‘Knowledge Partners’ market leaders from various Industries which helped in setting up practical training laboratories.
- Schneider Electric India Foundation for electrical & home appliance repair,
- Blue Star Ltd. for refrigeration & AC repair,
- TVS Training & Services Ltd. for two & three wheeler service technician,
- Tally Solutions Pvt. Ltd. for office administration.
- The tenure consists of 12 weeks/ 3 months industry relevant vocational training courses.
- Better communication skills, self-discipline, grooming techniques.
- Eligibility criterion – Youth in the age group of 18 – 30 years and have passed standard VIII from the underprivileged background.
- Students are also provided with zero balance bank account to understand & learn the financial independence.
- Free meals – healthy & nutritious food is given at the academy.
An Appeal from Academy for all of you.
Ms. Chanda Kochhar, MD & CEO, ICICI Bank has also launched a referral program called GiftALivelihood. With this referral program, we could help by bringing a change in someone’s life. Refer the deserving candidates from the financially weaker section of society. Share the details of the candidate on www.giftalivelihood.com and help them live a better life. A simple referral and rest everything will be taken care of by the ICICI Academy.
ICICI Academy enrolls the eligible candidates for its technical/ vocational courses, which are provided free of any COST. Students get placement in some of the best companies & gain financial support. I have met and spoken to alumni of the academy, very well placed and happy to share their transformation journey.
Listening to contend voices and experiences of these alumni, my heart swells with gratitude. Gratitude for the ICICI Foundation, and for all those who are behind these happy faces.
@gleefulblogger
Copyrights Dipika Singh
22 Comments
This initiative by CSR and ICICI bank is commendable, If some one can get bread and butter thru such skill initiative why not spread awareness. I’m up for it
Car is like the soul searching moment for the brands. And I must say ICICI has a clean one and a life-changing one
Its sounds too great that ICICI Academy for Skills (ICICI Academy) have provided training and placement to around 1000 students..
C S R is like the soul searching moment for the brands. And I must say ICICI has a clean one and a life-changing one
Good initiative to educate underprivileged boys n girls…….definitely it vll help tuem to shape their career n future…
This is such a noble thing being done by ICICI Foundation. I am very happy to see that such a big brand like ICICI realizing the importance of uplifting the weaker section is doing so much for them. It’s a wonderful CSR initiative by them and I would be very happy to help them in any way possible.
A great CSR initiative by ICICI academy. Like the idea of not just helping needy by providing sustainable living
This is a great initiative by icici. Helping people to get to better means of livelihood is a noble work
I have been associated with many CSR education skill development programms. I am happy to see ICICI doing a great work in this stream.
ICICI has taken up a great initiative for building young minds, thanks for sharing it!
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Really icici academy seems best place for youngsters to learn many skills which will help them in building their future carrier . Its wonderful CSR initiative by icici academy
This such a great CSR initiative by ICICI Academy. So perfect place for enhancing skills, which help youths to have a better career and future.
So happy to read that someone is not doing CSR activity just to get a tag, rather investing in providing them true training and skill set and more so for underprivileged students.
Great CSR initiative by ICICI. It not only enables students to perform well but also provides a Platform for a better life ahead
ICICI has not only taken CSR seriously but with this initiative have set an example for others to follow. Enabling someone with limited or no resources to be independent is commendable.
Good CSR initiative taken by ICICI BANK and placing a example for others to follow
It feels great that ICICI bank has been taking such inspiring steps to empower youth. Hope others will follow too.
That’s such a noble CSR initiative and very inspiring too
It is really a great initiative by icici. It feels really good that there are so many great things are going on in India.
Great CSR initiative by ICICI. It not only enables students to perform well but also provides a great future opportunity
This is indeed a great initiative by ICICI for uneducated to provide this privilege. And thanks to you for spreading this word of awareness