NALCO Launches Initiative to Equip Rural Youth with Technical Skills
National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), a leading public sector enterprise, has launched a significant corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative aimed at enhancing the employability of rural youth. Through a new partnership, the company will provide specialized vocational training to young people living in the vicinity of its key industrial operations in Odisha. This move is designed to create sustainable livelihood opportunities and foster local talent, directly addressing the need for industry-relevant skills in the region.
The program was formalised on October 7, 2025, when the NALCO Foundation, the company's CSR arm, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Central Tool Room and Training Centre (CTTC) in Bhubaneswar. The signing ceremony, held at NALCO's corporate office, marks the beginning of a focused effort to build a skilled workforce from the ground up. This collaboration brings together a major industrial player with a premier technical training institution under the Ministry of MSME, ensuring that the training provided is of high quality and directly applicable to current industry demands.
Program Structure and Goals
Under the terms of the agreement, the initiative will initially benefit 40 young individuals. Twenty participants will be selected from the peripheral villages surrounding NALCO’s Mines & Refinery Complex in Damanjodi, and another twenty will come from communities near the Smelter & Power Complex in Angul. These selected youths will be fully sponsored for an intensive five-month residential training program at the state-of-the-art CTTC campus in Bhubaneswar. The curriculum is structured to be comprehensive, providing both theoretical knowledge and practical, hands-on experience.
The entire training module is aligned with the National Skills Qualification Framework, a standard set by the Government of India's National Skill Development Council. This ensures that the certification received by the participants is recognized nationally, significantly improving their employment prospects across various industries. During the signing event, Shri Brijendra Pratap Singh, Chairman and Managing Director of NALCO, emphasized the program's strategic importance. He stated that the initiative would not only equip local youth with valuable skills but also build their confidence, setting a new benchmark for corporate social responsibility in the region.
Fostering Community and Economic Growth
This skill development program is a cornerstone of NALCO's broader commitment to community development and sustainable growth. By investing in the human capital of the areas where it operates, the company aims to create a positive feedback loop of economic empowerment. A skilled local workforce is essential for regional industrial health, and initiatives like this help bridge the gap between local job seekers and the technical requirements of modern industries.
The presence of NALCO's senior leadership at the MoU signing highlighted the high level of importance the company places on this CSR effort. Key officials present included Shri Brijendra Pratap Singh, CMD of NALCO, alongside directors Shri Pankaj Kumar Sharma (Production), Dr. Tapas Kumar Pattnayak (HR), and Shri Abhay Kumar Behuria (Finance). The collaboration represents a proactive approach to corporate citizenship, moving beyond simple aid to create lasting value through education and empowerment. Ultimately, this program is an investment in the future, designed to open new doors for rural youth and contribute to the overall prosperity of the community.
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