Pune, October 6, 2015 – SKF India has announced the successful completion of the first batch of its flagship CSR program, YES – Youth Empowerment at SKF. In the convocation ceremony held at the YES centre at Don Bosco Private Industrial Training Institute (DVPITI), 48 students were awarded the Certificate of Excellence for the 6-month Automotive Technician Course as per Modular Employability Scheme (MES) of the Ministry of Employment and Training (Government of India).

75% of students from the first batch have been placed in leading automotive OEMs and their dealer networks. Speaking at the function, Shrikant Savangikar – Director, Business Excellence, Quality and Sustainability, SKF India said, “The success of YES Program’s first batch in Pune is truly encouraging. The first batch of the YES Program in Bengaluru has begun while we are gearing up for the formal launch of the fully equipped centre by the end of this year. The YES program will continue its long term commitment to groom skilled service specialists for the Automotive Service Sector in India.”

There are plans to scale up the YES program and set up a total of 5 centres across the country, in the next 5 years. As part of the YES program, the beneficiaries undergo six months of rigorous vocational training in automotive two-wheeler and four-wheeler repair as per the Modular Employability Scheme (MES) of Ministry of Employment and Training (Government of India). The program additionally trains students in personality, communication skills, customer service, goal setting, financing and Business Management skills, for their holistic development and growth.

Youth Empowerment @ SKF (YES) is SKF India’s flagship CSR program of vocational skill development of underprivileged youth, to empower them through improved skills, knowledge and help them gain access to employment or become entrepreneurs. The first state-of-the-art YES centre is set up at Don Bosco Private Industrial Training Institute in Chinchwad. The second YES centre in Bengaluru will be fully operational by the end of 2015. There are plans to scale up the YES Program – a total of 5 centres will be set up across the country in the next five years.