Delhi: Rotary Club of Delhi Garden City (RCDGC) in partnership with NIIT Foundation, launched in May, 2023 a Skill Development Program in South Extension, New Delhi, to help underserved youth build employability, gain livelihood skills, and move towards financial independence.
Over the last 3 years of its operations, the centre has enrolled 199 youth – Class 12 graduates. 126 students successfully completed the program and 13 students are still undergoing the training. Of the successful candidates, 97 students sought and secured placement with reputed companies in the BFSI sector in NCR.
One of the distinguishing features of this program has been that it has encouraged learners to explore career paths aligned with their interests and aspirations. Nearly 30 students chose to pursue opportunities in fields such as teaching, mehndi artist, graphic design, running own business and so on. These students are pursuing their interests.
The outcomes so far demonstrates that besides strong technical and functional skills, the youth from this segment required help for Inner Personality Development which enables them to gain confidence and pursue what they really like to do.
This programme accordingly combines technical and functional skills, employability skills, digital literacy, and life skills development. The courses included Career Edge IT, BFSI, English and Presentation skills, Personality Development and confidence building exercises, making the learners ready for workplace as well as to lead their life with purpose and confidence. In addition to classroom learning, participants also engaged in career guidance sessions, mock interviews, AI workshops, cybersecurity awareness sessions, and industry exposure visits. The program has been designed to strengthen students’ digital, professional, and life skills through a structured 400-hour training programme.
The initiative has also placed strong emphasis on women’s participation and empowerment. Female learners accounted for 58% of certifications and over 73% of placements, underscoring the programme’s role in expanding access to opportunity and supporting women’s economic independence.
This approach is reflected in the journey of Mousumi, a Delhi University School of Open Learning (DU SOL) student who joined the Career Edge IT Professional programme while navigating financial hardship at home. Through structured training, mentorship, and employability support, she developed workplace and communication skills that helped her secure employment.
For Mousumi, the opportunity represented more than a job, it marked a turning point towards financial independence and stability for her family. Her journey also went on to inspire others, as she later referred additional students for employment opportunities in her company as well as to the learning centre, extending the programme’s impact within her own community.
“This programme gave me confidence, professional skills, and hope for a better future. Being able to support my family financially has been a life-changing experience for me,” said Mousumi.
“At Rotary Club of Delhi Garden City, we believe meaningful and long-lasting change will happen by enabling the under-privilege section of society to gain financial and emotional strength. Through our partnership with NIIT Foundation, we are working to empower the youth, especially women, with the functional and life skills, confidence, and pathways to build a better future for themselves and their family,” said Rtn Pramod Grover, President, Rotary Club of Delhi Garden City.
“This initiative reflects our shared commitment to creating inclusive skilling opportunities for underserved youth. Beyond technical training, the programme has focused on building confidence, employability, and long-term career readiness among learners”, said Dr. Charu Kapoor, Country Director, NIIT Foundation.
The Skill Development Centre continues to demonstrate how community-rooted partnerships can create sustainable impact. By combining skilling, Inner personality Development, mentorship, and access to opportunity, the initiative seeks to support greater economic empowerment among underserved youth.
