The Network

There are 55 STeP centres operational across 41 cities in 18 states of India that aims at providing youth with gainful employment in their nearby towns/ cities and to reduce migration of youth to larger cities. The programme plans to cover 25, 000 youth in five years.

The Course and Training Curriculum

The curriculum, with duration of six months, is designed with industry inputs and is customised according to trade needs. International Management Institute (IMI), New Delhi has developed a majority of the curriculum while computer education programme is following the Microsoft Unlimited Potential Programme (MSUP).

The topics covered under the programme are:

• Basic computer skills
• Spoken English proficiency
• Basic and Retail Sales Management
• Leadership and Personality Development
• Career opportunities, guidance and counselling
• BUSY Accounting
• Gender issues
• Reproductive and Sexual Health, HIV/AIDS
• Soft Skills

Besides regular course content interactive sessions on soft skills and industry knowledge by practicing professionals are imparted. All students undergo internship training to equip them with practical experience to connect theory to practice.

The Beneficiaries

Adolescents from underprivileged backgrounds with the following criteria form a majority of the beneficiaries -

Employment Scenario - The Challenge

Initial surveys and studies conducted by Smile Foundation reveal that the employment scenario in India is not only of booming markets and soaring opportunities but also of the subtle and almost immature gap between the job seekers and the industrial requirements. Though the country has the largest pool of young population waiting to take on the growing global tendencies of employment opportunities, the darker side of the picture is that, there are very few who have the required eligibility and skills being sought after by the employers. And this gap is becoming perpetual with time. The Financial Express reports that only 15% of the graduates coming out of colleges are employable, the rest being branded ‘unemployable’. This is not for the lack of theoretical knowledge but for the lack of the right attitude and skills. There is hence an increasing concern among employers towards lack of ready-to-deliver employees not foregoing the increased attrition rate which is almost 30% or more at present. The resultant widespread unemployment will lead to growing social stress and turmoil in the society, putting the nation’s growth prospects out of track.

Partners

STeP is being set up in partnership with educational institutions, corporate organisations, not for profit organization and corporate trusts.