Margdarshan – Youth Empowerment

Margdarshan – An Educational & Livelihood Program For Youth and Women

It was noticed that a large section of the young adults had discontinued their education due to various financial and social factors. The trust identified the need to enhance the soft skills of the young aged group so that they become employable. In 2003, DBCT initiated the Market Aligned Skills Training program in Ludhiana, in collaboration with the American India Foundation. Today, the trust runs it independently under the banner MARGDARSHAN. The program targets the slum dwellers and school dropouts. Social workers, employed by the trust, are sent to the nearby colonies to spread the information about the program and to encourage parents and the kids to come join the 3 months course. The training curriculum includes basic computer skills, spoken English, coupled with a specialization in Sales, Marketing and Hospitality. Special attention is also given to equip these young minds with effective communication skills, attitude and behavioral training for work readiness. Under another program, adult women are taught skills that would make them economically self-reliant. A dedicated placement cell has also been created to place the MARG DARSHAN graduates in the organized industrial and service sector. It has a 75% success rate. The cell provides complete support to the graduating students and the prospective employers, before and after the placement, so that both have a positive experience and acceptance. Till date the program has trained over 5000 students who are employed and are now supporting their families financially.