Underprivileged youth and mental health challenges

SKILLING INDIA’S FUTURE:   What We’ve Learned from Training 30,000+ Youth

When we talk about youth skilling in India, we’re talking about more than just teaching someone how to do a job — we’re working toward systemic change to make the young employABLE through proven and innovative approaches to strengthen families. Over the past two decades, skill development programs and vocational training for youth have evolved to meet rising demand, but we’re still asking:

What does an effective, meaningful impact look like? 

Global platforms, such as the World Bank, echo this sentiment — emphasizing the urgent need for inclusive, demand-driven skilling ecosystems that can keep pace with India’s dynamic economy. At Udayan Care, we’ve had the privilege of walking alongside more than 30,000+ young minds through structured, multi-layered Udayan Care skilling initiatives. Through this journey, we’ve witnessed what it truly takes to create employment through skilling and meaningfully contribute to youth empowerment in India.

From Modest Beginnings to National Impact 

The journey began in 2004, but our foundational learning phase took shape between 2006 and 2007. In those early years, our centres operated with modest means – 1-hour daily classes, basic digital literacy, and courses tailored to what trainees already knew. At that time, induction processes, career guidance, and progress tracking were still evolving. Trainers often wore multiple hats – from mobilizing youth to teaching and supporting placements, during a time when the formal framework was still taking shape. Students would attend during holidays, learning basic skills but not necessarily visualizing a career path. Workshops happened, but usually around festivals rather than being part of a structured curriculum. These initial years, though limited in scope, laid the groundwork for deeper reflection.

Turning Point: Laying the Foundation for Placements 

A strategic shift emerged in 2012. 

For the first time, we stepped back to ask: 

How do we move from teaching to transforming, educating, and empowering? 

A full-day workshop at the Udayan Care Head Office led to a crucial insight – that we needed to demonstrate outcomes, track progress, and focus on employability. 

The program began offering English-speaking courses through partnerships with The Times of India (CSR division) as a part of their Teach India Campaign, enrolling 279 beneficiaries even without a formal goal. 

Soft skills were introduced, and trainers started tapping into personal networks to help youth secure jobs. Most importantly, the Udayan Care name began gaining visibility among the beneficiaries, building trust through direct engagement and mentoring.

Building Systems: Formalization and the AIF Model 

The year 2015 marked a bold transition from informal effort to institutional strategy. With support from the American India Foundation (AIF), we: 

• Created a placement cell with dedicated manpower 
• Established a centralised data tracking system 
• Designed a Soft Skill Lab and IT infrastructure 
• Extended class hours to 3-4 hours per day 
• Integrated industry sessions, workshops, and hands-on machine learning

The collaboration with AIF became a cornerstone of our model – a well-rounded, holistic development plan that deeply influenced learner confidence and outcomes. 

Diversification and Structure: Strengthening the Model 

By 2017, our curriculum had begun to reflect the diversity of learner backgrounds. We introduced stream-wise courses – especially in commerce and IT – and expanded offerings to include:

• Diploma in IT 
• Tally Prime 
• Keyboard skills 
• MS Office Suite 

Monthly meetings brought together our faculty and centre heads, allowing for more thoughtful planning. 

Each centre now had clearly defined roles: Centre Coordinator, IT Trainer, and Soft Skills Faculty.

Training hours were standardised, and the shift from a single-trainer model to a team-based approach allowed for deeper engagement. 

Impact-First Thinking: Orientation, Data, and Long-Term Success 

Since 2018, our focus has been sharper than ever. 

We introduced structured induction sessions, familiarising trainees with Udayan Care’s mission, our CSR ecosystem, and the values we stand for. 

Partnering with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) brought greater alignment with national goals. 

We doubled down on: 

• Expanded sectoral outreach by integrating job roles in Telecom and Retail 
• Enhanced data accuracy and streamlined reporting systems 
• Ensured timely completion and distribution of certifications 
• Strengthened placement tracking and deepened alumni engagement

From its early days as a basic digital literacy effort, the program has matured into a holistically tracked, placement-oriented, skills-based initiative with measurable outcomes.

Staying Grounded While Scaling: Learning from India’s National Skilling Landscape

As Udayan Care’s efforts grew from modest local interventions to structured, nationally aligned skilling programs, we couldn’t ignore the larger landscape shaping our work — especially what’s unfolding at the national level. 

India’s government-led flagship initiative, the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), has trained over 1 crore youth across various phases. The placement rate in the most recent PMKVY 4.0 phase stands at 0.37%.

Unemployment Rate: Formally vs Informally Skilled Youth in India

Source: PKMVY 4.0

This figure highlights a broader challenge faced across the sector – that training alone may not lead to transformation unless supported by quality content, real–world relevance, and post–training guidance.

Moreover, while sectors like IT, Apparel, and Beauty & Wellness are being prioritized, many of the job roles offered — such as Sewing Machine Operator or Domestic Data Entry Operator — still sit at the lower end of the income ladder. It’s a reminder that upward mobility, not just job access, must define our success metrics. 

Interestingly, national data reveals a paradox: formally trained individuals in India have a higher unemployment rate (17%) than those with informal skills (4%). This highlights the need for better alignment between skilling initiatives and evolving market demands, and between certification and real-world confidence. 

And this is where NGOs like Udayan Care play a critical role. 

Non-profit skilling models offer empathy and deeper community connection. According to Give.do, more than 2,000 NGOs are actively skilling India’s youth, especially those from underserved backgrounds. They’re filling the gaps by offering counseling, mentorship, peer networks, and wraparound support — all elements we’ve found essential in keeping youth engaged and employable.

To visualize this paradox, consider the data below: 

Key Data Insights from Udayan Care and National Statistics

Source: Udayan Care program data, Give.do and  PMKVY official reports.

So what’s the bigger picture?

 We’re part of a national movement that’s still evolving. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned from both our journey and India’s policy landscape, it’s this: 

Scale without support doesn’t stick. Training without dignity doesn’t transform. And progress without purpose doesn’t last. 

That’s why we continue to push for models that are not only scalable but also sensitive to lived realities, adaptable to market shifts, and committed to each learner’s full journey — from enrolment to employment and beyond.

What We’ve Learned 
Life Skills Aren’t Extra – They’re Essential 

From what we’ve seen, the outcomes of vocational training improve drastically when life skills and employability are built into the curriculum. These are the skills that help youth not just find jobs, but keep them – and grow within them. UNESCO reinforces this, urging education providers to integrate life and work readiness into learning.

Data Matters, But Stories Complete the Picture 

While a youth training impact report helps guide our decisions, the true impact lives in stories – a young woman navigating societal pressure to upskill, a dropout discovering purpose through hands-on learning. 

These aren’t exceptions; they’re the essence of this work. 

Dropouts Aren’t Failures – They’re Feedback 

High dropout rates in skilling initiatives don’t always reflect disinterest. Youth leave for a variety of reasons: Family pressures, income needs, or mental health. We’ve responded with flexible schedules, peer support, and counseling – all aimed at keeping the learning journey alive. 

Digital Readiness Is No Longer Optional 

Today’s economy demands digital literacy and job readiness. Many of our youth come from low-tech backgrounds – our role is to bridge the gap. Structured digital modules, from keyboard basics to software proficiency, have opened new doors for our learners. 

Gender Inclusion Is a Force Multiplier 

Gender-inclusive skilling in India isn’t just about equality – it’s about impact. When girls and young women gain access to skills and mentorship, we’ve seen entire households benefit. Our programs are designed with safe spaces, role models, and community buy-in to ensure their growth. This aligns with insights from the ILO, which highlight the transformative power of skilling young women. 

The Unique Strength of NGO-Led Skilling Models 

NGO-led skill development programs are agile, responsive, and deeply rooted in the community. As a non-profit skill development organization, Udayan Care doesn’t just train – we listen, we walk with our learners, and we adapt to what they need. 

Placement Is a Start – But Retention Tells the Real Story 

We track the placement rate after skilling programs, but our eyes are also on long-term success. Do these young people stay employed? Do they grow in confidence and income? Through follow-ups and alumni connections, we’re finding answers and improving every step of the way. 

Final Thoughts:
Scale Isn’t Enough Without Sensitivity 

India is making historic investments in its young population. But scale without sensitivity misses the mark. 

What we’ve learned from training 30,000+ Youth: 

Skilling must be human. It must be inclusive. And it must honor the journey – not just the destination. Because when vocational training for youth is personal and purpose-driven, we don’t just build careers – we build futures worth believing in.