Empowering Villages Through Skills and Opportunity
Odisha’s industrial landscape is witnessing a quiet transformation — not just through factories and power plants, but through empowerment of its rural youth. In a landmark move, National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), one of India’s leading public sector enterprises, has launched a comprehensive skill development initiative aimed at creating sustainable livelihoods and bridging the employment gap in the state’s industrial belts.
The initiative, driven by the company’s CSR wing — the NALCO Foundation — reflects the organisation’s long-standing commitment to inclusive growth and rural transformation in regions surrounding its operations in Damanjodi and Angul.
A Strategic Partnership for Skill and Growth
The programme was formally rolled out on October 7, 2025, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NALCO Foundation and the Central Tool Room and Training Centre (CTTC), Bhubaneswar — a premier institute under the Ministry of MSME known for its technical and vocational training excellence.
This collaboration marks a convergence of industrial capability and technical expertise, designed to prepare young people from Odisha’s villages for meaningful employment. A total of 40 rural youths will be trained in the first phase — 20 from villages near NALCO’s Mines and Refinery Complex at Damanjodi and 20 from areas around its Smelter and Power Complex in Angul.
Industry-Ready Training with a National Framework
The selected candidates will undergo a five-month residential training programme at CTTC Bhubaneswar, fully funded by NALCO. The course blends hands-on technical training with theoretical instruction, focusing on in-demand areas like precision manufacturing, modern machining, and tool-making.
Aligned with the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), the programme ensures that trainees receive nationally recognised certification from the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. This accreditation will significantly enhance their employability across manufacturing, maintenance, and engineering sectors — both within Odisha and beyond.
Leadership Vision and Community Commitment
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Shri Brijendra Pratap Singh, NALCO’s Chairman and Managing Director, emphasised that the initiative reflects the company’s mission to transform potential into capability.
“Our goal is not just to train youth, but to empower them with confidence, skills, and self-reliance,” he stated. “By aligning local talent with industry needs, NALCO is contributing to both economic and social progress in the regions where we operate.”
He added that as Odisha’s industrial landscape expands, the need for a skilled local workforce has never been greater. Initiatives like this not only meet that demand but also ensure inclusive participation in the state’s development story.
Building Sustainable Futures
The event saw the presence of senior NALCO officials — including Shri Pankaj Kumar Sharma (Director–Production), Dr. Tapas Kumar Pattnayak (Director–HR), and Shri Abhay Kumar Behuria (Director–Finance) — along with representatives from CTTC Bhubaneswar, underlining the shared commitment to create measurable social impact.
Beyond skill training, the programme aims to ignite a ripple effect of empowerment. A trained and employable youth population contributes not only to household income but also to community stability and regional progress. By investing in people, NALCO is nurturing a future-ready Odisha — one where rural youth can become drivers of sustainable development rather than passive beneficiaries.
From Skill to Self-Reliance
With this new partnership, NALCO reaffirms its dual identity — as a leading industrial enterprise and a social catalyst. The initiative symbolises a shift from corporate charity to strategic community investment, creating a bridge between industrial growth and human development.
As Odisha continues to rise as an industrial hub, such endeavours ensure that its youth rise with it — skilled, confident, and self-reliant, ready to shape their own futures.
(With agency inputs)
