Overview
Location: Pan - India
Duration: 2012 - Present
“I recently completed a 3-month course at the Electrician Centre. I have started getting many opportunities to work after doing this course. I learned a lot during the course in a very short span of time. Today, I can earn a monthly income of INR 10,000 to INR 15,000. I am thankful to the Art of Living for opening this center which has helped in opening up employment avenues for us.
– Mukesh, who underwent training in our Sri Sri Kaushal Vikas Kendra, Khanoa village, Himachal Pradesh
“Kaushal” literally means skill. In a country with nearly 22 million youth in the age group of 18-30, skill upgradation to ensure employability and livelihood has a critical role to play. To address this gap, we have opened centers all across the country that provide relevant training in various disciplines.
We currently run 19 such centers across the country where training is provided in various vocations. We are looking to expand to newer areas and increase capacity.
What change did we bring?
The program was initiated three years ago, and now we have the capacity to train over 2500 youth every year. We have 4 centers running in jails that lay special emphasis on providing training to help rehabilitate prisoners and bringing back terrorists to the mainstream.
How does the journey look so far?
- 19 Sri Sri Kaushal Vikas Kendra started in different parts of the country
- More than 5000 youth provided skills training in the last 2 years
- Project Shakti Over 1000 rural women trained and 58 Self Help Groups formed in tailoring and embroidery
How did we work?
Kaushal centers provide two different types of training:
- Technical training in the field of electrical, construction, welding, hospitality that are provided in partnership with CSR partners like Schneider Electric, Larsen and Toubro, and BHEL.
- Need-based training depending on the location. In remote rural areas where we install solar equipment or introduce technologies like smokeless chulhas, we provide training in equipment installation and maintenance to help create rural entrepreneurs.
On-going training programs
Learn Sudarshan Kriya, a powerful breathing technique driving our volunteer community with vitality and focus.
| Sector | Partnered Organization | Youths Trained | Potential Benefit to the Sector |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Training Program | Schneider Electric | 300+ | Wage and self-employment Availability of skilled labor for projects in rural areas |
| Maison & Bar bending Training | L&T Construction Division | 198+ | Wage and self-employment Availability of skilled labor for projects in rural areas |
| Welding Training | L&T Construction Division | 400+ | Wage and self-employment Availability of skilled labor for projects in rural areas |
| Handicraft/Handloom | Jute Board, Manipur Skills & Development Society, KVIC | 2500+ | Promotion of culture & local traditions Exposure to new markets |
| Agriculture (Organic Farming/Zero Budget Farming/herbs cultivation) | Sri Sri Agriculture Sciences and Technology Institute | 6000+ | Creating awareness on organic farming and starting organic food market in cities. Creating self-sustainable and self-reliant farming practices. |
| Ayurveda Therapist | Sri Sri Ayurveda & Panchkarma Trust | 2100+ | Trained Therapist from the Art of Living Ayurveda & Panchkarma Center National & International Placement. |
| Smokeless Chulas | In House | 4000+ | Cure of lung related problems in rural women's Less use of Wood for cooking |
What did we learn?
A large number of youngsters drop out of the education system because their education has not been effective in improving their employability and earning capacity. These skill-based training packaged with suitable employment opportunities are much better alternatives for these youth.
How can you contribute?
We are looking to start new centers in different parts of the country and to include new courses in the existing centers. You can partner with us to either provide employment opportunities to the graduates of these centers or infrastructure to support these centers.
