Enhancing the youth to meet the labour force demands in the competing skill ecosystem

DB BEST Academy since its inception has been trying hard to achieve the goal of creating qualified and skilled labour force in par with the current industrial competition and demands. To fill the gap between the margins of skill and employment, there is a high demand for imparting highly designed strategies and plans in training the youth to become equipped. As said by ILO (International Labour Organization) – ‘Education, vocational training and lifelong learning are central pillars of employability, employment of workers and sustainable enterprise development’. Skill development being critical for economic growth and development, there is increasing need to create net additional jobs in the country and also to create employment ready workforce in the future for the youth to be equipped with necessary skills for industrial needs and demands. The current batch at DB BEST Academy has been graduated with flying colours where 52 among the 68 trained are already placed with jobs and a bunch of 78 new students are ready to occupy the space for success.

On 17^th May 2019, DB BEST Academy organized the graduation of the 8^th batch of skill training and the Inauguration of the 9^th batch. The 8^th batch has successfully trained 68 students and 76% placement is already confirmed. On the auspicious occasion, the presence of Fr. Guillermo Luis Basanes SDB, the General Councillor for Missions added joy to the ceremony. The other dignitaries on the dais were Fr. Joy Nedumparambil, Executive Director BREADS, Fr. Feddie Pereira SDB, Secretary Bangalore Province, Fr. Cyril John Edamana, Director DB Best Academy, Mr. Kennedy, DB BEST Academy Coordinator and Ms. Felcy Alice, State Coordinator DB Tech Karnataka. The ceremony began by a prayer song to grace the occasion with heavenly presence and followed by welcoming the guests and the students by Mr. Kennedy, the Centre Coordinator. The keynote address was spoken by Fr. M.K George who inspired the students through his words to battle for a successful future. Thereafter the dignitaries marked the inauguration of the 9^th batch symbolically by lighting the lamp. Thereafter it was delighted to hear the words of appreciation from Fr. Guillermo Luis Basanes SDB, who specially congratulated the graduated students for making the right decision in life. The three months course not just provided the students a curriculum experience but enriched the students through various trainings, life skills and need driven sessions and finally the placement. A short presentation on the current batch activities was presented by Ms. Anitta Peter, trainer DB BEST Academy. Finally the felicitation was done by Ms. Felcy Alice and she insisted only on three things to keep the minds stable and determined like start from where you are, use what you have and do what you can. She also inspired the youth to be confident and always believe in self.

As token of motivation and appreciation to the students from 8^th batch, ‘the best student’ was awarded to nine students, three from each of the domains. The certification of the 8^th batch was followed where each student received their certificate of completion from the honorable chief guests. After the formal function, it was the time for students to perform their best talents and make use of the platform to articulate their cultural skills. Above all the flavor of the occasion was the successful placement completion of 52 students from the 8^th batch among whom 10 are from BPO sector, 19 from Retail Management and 23 from Hospitality sector. The new batch has already enrolled 78 students where 12 have chosen BPO, 26 Retail Management and 40 have chosen Hospitality. The ceremony was concluded with vote of thanks by Mr. Dylan, the student of DB BEST Academy.