Marico Limited, one of India’s leading FMCG majors, has joined hands with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other implementing partners – to digitally train more than 12,000 women and youth across the country via impactful upskilling initiatives in this financial year. The large-scale project will empower individuals to secure skill-based jobs and is expected to add around INR 31 crores in incremental income by helping women and youth secure 7,000 jobs overall. This undertaking reiterates Marico’s commitment to creating inclusive and sustainable growth across communities.
Through this Digital Women Economic Empowerment Initiative, Marico aims to benefit society by matching the needs and aspirations of women and youth with the requirements of potential employers through collaborative platforms that provide skill-based, vocational and technological training. These digital training will be provided across domains with a focus on 21st-century skills, ITES and BFSI linked skills such as cloud architecture, data analytics, Python programming, BPO operations, banking and financial literacy and soft skills. Another key aspect of the initiative will be to ensure job opportunities for the trained beneficiaries, which would be done by establishing effective connect with the employer and through regular interventions such as monthly job fairs and recruitment drives.
The project intervention planned in partnership with UNDP will increase awareness, enhance employability, facilitate linkages with potential employers, provide mentorship support, and nurture youth’s innovation potential. It will aid especially those from economically underprivileged backgrounds. Through this initial training will be provided to around 5000 participants in Bhopal and Indore and aid the beneficiaries through placement opportunities, thus creating lasting change in the region.
The initiative was inaugurated by Ms. Shanmuga Priya Misra, IAS, and CEO of the Madhya Pradesh State Skill Development & Employment Generation Board in the presence of project heads from both the organizations – Udayraj Prabhu, Executive Vice President Business Process Transformation, IT and Head CSR, Marico Limited and Amit Kumar, Head, Inclusive Growth from UNDP India.
Udayraj Prabhu, Executive Vice President of Business Process Transformation, IT and Head CSR at Marico Limited said, “As a responsible corporate citizen, Marico has always endeavored to make a difference to all the lives it touches. Our belief in giving back to society, which forms a core tenet of our ESG framework, drives our social and community engagement initiatives. In line with this objective, we have collaborated with UNDP and various implementing partners to launch upskilling initiatives that foster inclusive development and economic independence for women and young individuals in India. Through these partnerships, we aim to transform the lives of members within our communities, by not only equipping them with the knowledge and tools they may need for their chosen career but also by aiding them with a platform to gain momentum in achieving their aspirations.”
Amit Kumar, Team Lead, Inclusive Growth, UNDP said, “UNDP places social development and sustainability at the heart of all its initiatives to foster economic growth, create income and jobs, reduce poverty and inequality, and strengthen the foundations and living standards in all the regions we work in. As part of our continuous commitment to this objective, we look forward to leveraging our newly forged collaboration with Marico to drive inclusive social and economic growth by providing opportunities to women and youth in Madhya Pradesh.”
Shanmuga Priya Misra, IAS, and CEO of the Madhya Pradesh State Skill Development & Employment Generation Board, “on World Youth Skills Day today, it is essential to recognize and emphasize the importance of vocation learning and skilling. The UNDP has been setting an example worldwide in education, women empowerment, providing better livelihoods, and more. I am happy to see Marico is investing its CSR funding for such a great social cause. In contrast, many invest in their firm to strengthen its internal operations or employee benefits. Marico’s contribution is a big step in giving a platform to the neediest, especially economically challenged backgrounds. Its focus on both personal and professional skills also prepares today’s youth for the future workforce.”
