Management & Entrepreneurship and Professional Skills Council (MEPSC) and Magic Bus India Foundation signs MoU to Equip and Empower Youth from Marginalized segments through Skilling and Livelihood Programmes

• MEPSC to certify Magic Bus' transferable life and employability skills curriculum for youth by validating as per National Occupation Standard
• This partnership will empower 3 lakh marginalized youth in the next 3 years covering 825 colleges, 95 livelihood centers in 13 States and Union Territories, with plans for future expansion

NEW DELHI, Oct. 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Management & Entrepreneurship and Professional Skills Council (MEPSC), a Sector Skill Council established under the tutelage of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Magic Bus India Foundation, a leading non-profit organisation in the education and skilling space. MEPSC is a public-private partnership model and an Awarding Body under the National Council for Vocational Education & Training (NCVET).

This collaboration is poised to empower 3 lakh marginalized youth in the next 3 years, by providing them with transferable life and employability skills required in today's competitive job market. These youth will receive skilling in sectors such as Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI), Information Technology and IT-enabled Services (IT - ITeS), Retail, Quick Service Restaurants (QSR), and Logistics.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in the presence of esteemed dignitaries. Among those who graced the signing were Col. Anil Kumar Pokhriyal, CEO and Executive Board Member, MEPSC; Santosh Kumar Saha, Senior Head - Business Development & Apprenticeship, MEPSC; and Shikher Saxena, Head - Business Operations, MEPSC. Representing Magic Bus India Foundation; Arun Nalavadi, Executive Director - Sustainability and Livelihoods; and Philip Mathew, Director – Livelihood were present.

Magic Bus, one of the largest NGOs working in the skilling ecosystem, provides a plethora of livelihood programmes, including Youth Skilling Programme, Connect with Work Programme, Digital Programmes and Entrepreneurship Development Programme. These programmes help to build the youths from underserved households with transferable life and employability skills and there on transit them to sustainable workforce, with secured employment in customer-centric job roles within the service sector. These programmes are backed by innovative technology tools, strong partnerships, and engagement with stakeholders.

The partnership with MEPSC will span across three years, with each year outlined by a comprehensive action plan. In the first year, the focus will be on obtaining recognition for Magic Bus' Transferable Life and Employability Skills Curriculum for youth and ensuring alignment with the existing National Occupational Standard (NOS) code for life and employability skills. From the second year onwards, the partnership will focus on conceptualising, planning, and coordinating joint programmes, workshops, seminars, and other policy-focused interventions across skilling ecosystem. Additionally, the certification of Magic Bus trainers and beneficiaries will be conducted in accordance with MEPSC norms.

Col. Anil Kumar Pokhriyal, CEO and Executive Board Member, MEPSC, said, "We are thrilled to partner with Magic Bus. This collaboration marks a significant stride towards our vision of skilled India, and it will go a long way in making our learners ready for the workforce. MEPSC has been consistently endeavouring to build and fulfill the needs of the workplace and the workforce, with a special focus on cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset and ecosystem from Kindergarten to Postgraduate levels, as well as at the grassroots level."

Arun Nalavadi, Executive Director - Sustainability and Livelihoods, Magic Bus India Foundation, said, "Our alliance with MEPSC is a landmark moment in our pursuit of empowering India's youth. MEPSC's recognition will serve as a testament to the work that we do and the impact we create. Our joint efforts will generate opportunities where youth from underserved households will acquire transferable life and employability skills that can be applied in the world of work. We envision a future where the talents and aspirations of youth will thrive in the workplace and contribute significantly to the growth of various sectors across the nation."

Magic Bus has been empowering vulnerable youths between 18 to 25 years from India's urban and peri-urban communities through their Livelihood Programme. To date, the non-profit has skilled and placed more than 2 lakh youths in employment across India. The geographical coverage of this partnership will encompass all regions where Magic Bus's Livelihood programme is operational. This includes 825 colleges, 95 livelihood centres across 13 States and Union Territories, with plans for future expansion. With 56% participation of young women in skilling and placement, Magic Bus is building an 'Agency' of individuals, enabling them to sustain their job and career growth while also effectively planning and managing their personal lives and contributing to their family's income, ultimately resulting in doubling of their family's income.

About Management & Entrepreneurship and Professional Skills Council (MEPSC):

Management & Entrepreneurship and Professional Skills Council (MEPSC) is a horizontal Sector Skill Council (SSC) incorporated as a Section-8 (Not for Profit Company) under the Companies Act, 2013, in a one of its kind, Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, under the tutelage of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). All India Management Association (AIMA) is the sole promoter of MEPSC.

MEPSC is a recognised Awarding Body by the Skills Regulator – National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) and is supported by National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). In its journey over the past 8 years, MEPSC has trained and certified more than 7 Lakhs beneficiaries through its various programs and has certified more than 5000 Trainers, 850+ Masters and 1750+ Assessors to build quality manpower to strengthen the Skilling ecosystem. MEPSC is currently engaged with 1850+ Schools, 18 Universities and more than 40 Colleges across the country.

About Magic Bus India Foundation:

Magic Bus India Foundation is one of the leading NGOs in the education and skilling space in India. Over 24 years, the organisation has established its presence across 24 states and UTs of India. Magic Bus works with young people from underserved communities between the age group of 12 to 25 years, providing them with life skills and employability skills. The NGO offers two distinct life skills programmes – the Adolescent programme and Livelihood Programme.

The Adolescent Programme is designed to empower adolescents (12-18yrs) with life skills and education enhancement, ensuring they complete their secondary education. The organisation has partnered with 6 state Governments, to reach approximately 60,000 teachers and 50 lakh adolescents. The Livelihood Programme, with 95 Livelihood Centers, 825 college partnerships, and Entrepreneurship Incubation Centers, equips youths (18-25 years) with skills that enhance their employability and enable them to enter the sustainable workforce.

Over the past two decades, Magic Bus has empowered over 20 lakh young people (over 50% girl participation rate), enabling their transition from childhood to livelihood.

For more information, visit: https://www.magicbus.org/

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