Within a year of its inception, the 'Smart Centre' at National Institute of Technical Teachers' Training and Research (NITTTR), Sector 26, has helped around 70% of its students find mainstream jobs. These persons with disabilities (PWDs) were given six months of special training to prepare them for professional life in various sectors like hospitality, retail and business process outsourcing (BPO) at �Smart', which stands for �Skill Market Training'.
Out of the 230 students trained in the year of its start, two-third successfully completed the training while 70% have found jobs. "It is known that disabled persons have trouble finding jobs. They may also need special skill sets to match up to what the industry wants. At the Smart Centre, they are trained specially for the three specific sectors in personality development, communication and computer literacy," said J S Saini, professor and head of the department of rural development and centre for physically challenged persons.
"I wonder why organizations aren't willing to absorb such persons. Visually impaired persons make good receptionists, while hearing impaired are good singers and are good in fine arts," Saini added. NITTTR too has a visually impaired receptionist who, Saini says, serves the profile even better than an able-bodied person.
The course caters to persons with the four major disabilities, including orthopaedic, hearing and speech, blind and low vision, and mental disabilities.
The course, run by Tech Mahindra Foundation and Sarthak Educational Trust, has trainers from these organizations. One person at the centre is in constant touch with the corporate world to keep them updated with potential employees.
"The government scheme says disabled persons should be integrated in organizations, but the challenge is the imbalance in these jobs going to PWDs. We still have a long way to go," added Saini.
The Smart Centre for vocational training and placement of persons with disabilities has been operational since May 2014. The centre enrolls persons with disabilities belonging to all disabilities covered under the PWD Act 1995.
Tried and tested, six hearing impaired employees shine at Baddi firm
While firms prefer to hire persons with orthopaedic disabilities, those with hearing or visual impairment are the most affected. To counter this problem, NITTTR's department of rural development asked a local firm to �try' a few hearing impaired employees. The firm picked up six such persons for its plastic plant at Baddi. "They are doing excellent and the employers are also happy. At least, they should be given a chance. Some of these persons are very well qualified and skilled," said department head J S Saini.
Source : TOI , 9th May 2015
No comments:
Post a Comment