Deora lends helping hand to South Mumbai’s job seekers

Often requested for recommendation letters and job opportunities, the dynamic MP has established an employment agency for the young members of his constituency

Deora lends helping hand to South Mumbai's job seekers

Often requested for recommendation letters and job opportunities, the dynamic MP has established an employment agency for the young members of his constituency

In a novel initiative, a public servant has ventured into the private sector; but this move appears to have been fuelled not by a desire to reap monetary profits, but by the urge to provide relief to those despairing youngsters who have worn the soles of their shoes thin in search of employment.u00a0

Realising that unemployment is a palpable and growing problem in his constituency, Milind Deora decided to take concrete action to address it

An employment exchange has been set up by South Mumbai MP Milind Deora, with the explicit intention of providing employment to the members of his constituency.

The impetus for the initiative was engendered by Deora's desire to provide employment for those youth who frequently knock on his door in order to request letters of recommendation to firms in which they seek employment.

Deora has also been receiving numerous requests from constituents for jobs, either for themselves or their friends and relatives. Realising that unemployment is a palpable and growing problem in his constituency, Deora decided to take concrete action to address it.

Deora is planning to invite companies who are seeking fresh talent. He is also going to urge unemployed members of the youth to register themselves with the agency.

According to Praveen Chakravarthy, an investment banker who is heading the initiative for Deora, the employment exchange will act as an interface between companies that are hiring and constituents who are in search of employment.

"We will consider the requirements of the companies, and match those with the profiles of the applicants who are in our database.

If the applicants are deficient in any way or do not completely meet the requirements we will provide them with specific training to supplement their skills.
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Various companies have been approaching us with certain requirements. So all we need to do is cater to their needs by finding eager youngsters who fit the bill," said Chakravarthy.

For his agency, Deora has roped in IndiaSkills, a soft skills training company that also facilitates employment for job seekers with leading companies.

Already, as many as 180 youth have been trained in retail management skills at the centre run by Deora, and the institute is in the process of training around 1,000 job seekers this year.

Almost all the trainees have been recruited by different firms, while the first batch of students gained employment with the Reliance retail section.

These life-changing opportunities came at a surprisingly modest price, as the trainees have to pay a minimal fee of Rs 500 for the course. Other consultancies and career-counselling firms usually charge a minimum fee of Rs 11,000 for the same services.

The centre will also be introducing training programmes in the streams of facility management and hospitality management.
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The training in facility management would include courses on housekeeping and maintenance, while that in hospitality management would include training for employment as waiters and room-attendants in the hospitality sector.

Also on the cards is a course in hair styling and beauty treatment.
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"Unemployment is a key issue in my constituency. People approach me frequently to write them recommendations for jobs in the private sector.
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Instead of writing these letters, I want to nurture a youth population that is prepared and trained for various jobs," said the Lok Sabha MP.