Bhubaneswar: Vedanta Aluminium has achieved a significant milestone in its commitment to community empowerment through its flagship skills training initiative in Lanjigarh.
The first batch of its food and beverage (F&B) training program has successfully graduated, boasting an impressive 92% placement rate. This achievement highlights Vedanta’s dedication to equipping local youth with valuable, industry-ready skills and fostering sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Beyond job placements, the program also made strides in digital literacy. All participating trainees received 40 hours of IT literacy training, which was a first-time exposure to digital education for 90% of them. This pivotal step in digital empowerment ensures that these young individuals are prepared for a future-ready workforce.
According to Shri Pranab Kumar Bhattacharyya, CEO of Vedanta Alumina Business, the company sees community development as a core part of its strategy for sustainable growth. “When youth are equipped with the right skills and exposure, it sparks a chain reaction of progress—for families, communities, and the local economy,” he stated. He added that this outstanding placement rate is a testament to what can be achieved when industry and community work together.
The program is a collaboration between Vedanta Lanjigarh Skill Training initiative, the Odisha Skill Development Authority (OSDA), and the National Bank for Agriculture & Rural Development (NABARD).
The goal is to train over 1,200 rural youth in three years, focusing on both training and providing avenues for employment and entrepreneurship. So far, 701 youth have already been trained, and their successful placements have significantly increased family incomes, integrating them into the socio-economic mainstream.
This initiative is a reflection of Vedanta’s strategic alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically “No Poverty” (SDG 1) and “Decent Work and Economic Growth” (SDG 8). It also supports India’s national vision of Viksit Bharat by enhancing rural employability and entrepreneurship.