Vedanta Lanjigarh signs MoU with Odisha Skill Development Authority to upskill youths in rural Odisha

Lanjigarh, 28/3 – Vedanta Limited, Lanjigarh, India’s premier producer of metallurgical grade alumina and a unit of Vedanta Aluminium, has signed a MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with OSDA (Odisha Skill Development Authority), Government of Odisha, with the aim to upskill more than 1,300 youths in a span of 3 years. Its skill training initiative has supported rural, unemployed youths from Kalahandi district, who have dropped out of school due to socio-economic constraints, to secure sustainable livelihoods. The company aims to broaden the scope of this initiative through various partnerships with renowned institutions like NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture & Rural Development) and many more.

 

Since its inception in 2022, the programme has trained rural youths from Kalahandi district for a wide range of employment opportunities within food & beverage, textile, and electrical maintenance industries. Teaching is imparted through a good balance of immersive practical simulations and theory along with behavioural trainings and industrial visits to give them hands-on experience in different job roles.

 

So far, more than 200 youths have been trained in various skills like stewardship, sewing machine operation and electrical maintenance. Ongoing commitment to fostering deeper connections with recruiters has paid off, achieving a 75% placement record, with students getting placed in reputed organisations like Ramoji Film City, Taj Group of Hotels and many more. The initiative also marks a significant step towards nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship, leveraging collective strengths and resources to create a robust and supportive environment for entrepreneurs to thrive, as many youths from the region don’t want to pursue jobs. The endeavour closely aligns with United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of Decent Work & Economic Growth (SDG8), Reduce Inequalities (SDG10), and Partnership for Goals (SDG17).

 

Mr. Pranab Kumar Bhattacharyya, CEO – Alumina Business, Vedanta Ltd., said, “Our commitment to nurturing the potential of our youth goes beyond empowerment – it’s about cultivating a legacy of self-reliance. By equipping them with entrepreneurial skills and financial acumen, we’re not just shaping individual futures, but working towards the development of entire communities. As we pave the way for self-sustenance, we’re laying the foundation for an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ – a nation driven by innovation, independence, and prosperity.”

 

Ajit Kumar Uttaray, District Employment Officer, Kalahandi, said, “The skills training program is a positive move towards securing the future of Kalahandi by upskilling a huge talent pool that we have here. Through this collaboration we will be able to ensure better opportunities for socio-economic upliftment and betterment of communities across the district.”

 

Vedanta Lanjigarh’s social interventions in the domains of sustainable livelihood, quality education, women empowerment, health, water and sanitation and community infrastructure reach out to over 67 villages and nearby areas. Vedanta skill training initiative underscores more than 200 individuals that comprises of underprivileged youth and 60% of it are women. It empowers more than 4,000 women from over 378 SHGs; provides qualitative and doorstep healthcare services to about 60,000 people annually. The company also established Lanjigarh’s first English-medium school – the DAV Vedanta International School and has nurtured 4,000 children and 800 women in over 200 Nand Ghars, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, while empowering around 200 youths through sports and skill training initiatives.

 

Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest producer of aluminium, manufacturing more than half of India’s aluminium i.e., 2.29 million tonnes in FY23. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 1st in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023 world rankings for the aluminium industry, a reflection of its leading sustainable development practices. With its world-class aluminium smelters, alumina refinery and power plants in India, the company fulfils its mission of spurring emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow.