Vedanta Aluminium is driving socio-economic transformation through its flagship VeDakshata Skill Training Centre located in Bileimunda village, Sundargarh district.
To date, 87 rural youth trained through this program have secured employment with reputable organisations across India, underscoring Vedanta’s commitment to equipping local youth with industry-ready skills and creating sustainable livelihoods.
Launched in December 2024, the VeDakshata initiative is implemented in partnership with LearnNet Skills Limited, a joint venture of SchoolNet India Limited and the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). The centre offers free training in three trades: sewing machine operation, electrical maintenance, and food and beverage service. Over the next three years, Vedanta Aluminium aims to train more than 700 rural youths from communities surrounding its coal mining projects in Ghogharpalli, Jamkhani, and Kuraloi in Odisha.
So far, the programme has successfully placed 36 Assistant Electricians, 31 Sewing Machine Operators, and 20 Food and Beverage Service Stewards in jobs across various sectors. These placements have significantly increased family incomes and have integrated the youth into the socio-economic mainstream.
Rajiv Kumar, CEO of Vedanta Aluminium, commented on the initiative: “Empowering youth through skill development is key to unlocking the potential of our communities and driving inclusive growth. Through VeDakshata, we are equipping young individuals in rural Odisha with practical skills and connecting them to meaningful employment opportunities. These successful placements reflect the growing impact of this initiative in bridging the gap between education and livelihood, ultimately helping to build confident, self-reliant individuals who can shape their own futures.”
Vedanta’s skill training initiative is strategically aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 – “No Poverty” and SDG 8 – “Decent Work and Economic Growth.” It also resonates with the national vision of Viksit Bharat, promoting rural employability and entrepreneurship.
