OREANDA-NEWS. The Govt. of India has evolved a scheme called ‘Special Industry Initiative’ (SII) to train the educated youth of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), who have the potential to contribute to national growth/development, so as to enhance their employability. The initiative titled ‘Udaan’ envisages training of 40,000 youths holding professional graduate/post-graduate degrees. BHEL has joined this initiative, under its CSR programme, to provide training to 500 J&K youth over a period of five years. The training programme for the first batch of 100 youths by BHEL was formally launched in New Delhi in a function presided over by Mr. M.F. Farooqui, Secretary (HI), Mr. B.P. Rao, CMD (BHEL), and a host of other dignitaries including functional directors on the board of BHEL.

Inaugurating the programme, Shri Farooqui admired the efforts of BHEL to participate in this initiative. Calling upon the youth from J&K to make the most of this opportunity, he exhorted them to prove themselves equal to the name and spirit of ‘Udaan’ which is apt since the programme is providing them with a platform to achieve/attain new and exalted heights of excellence for themselves as well as for the nation.

Earlier, in his welcome address, Shri B.P. Rao, CMD, BHEL, lauded the novel initiative of the Govt. in providing the Corporate organizations with an opportunity to help the promising young children of J&K enhance their skills and employability so as to join the mainstream of national development. Emphasizing the importance of being in the first batch to the children present in the function, Shri Rao said that their feedback would be vital for laying a strong foundation for smooth, progressive and satisfactory conduct of the programme for the children who would be coming in the ensuing batches.

The youth shortlisted for training will commence their training at ATI, Chennai, where they will be imparted technical and behavioural training for three months. This will be followed by visit to BHEL's manufacturing units and thereafter, to power project sites for hands-on experience. The company will provide a monthly stipend of Rs.8,000/- to the Engineering Graduate trainees and Rs.6,000/- to Engineering Diploma trainees besides free lodging and travel.