EDUCATION AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT
Education and Skill Development is one of the key pillars of Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Pvt. Ltd.’s CSR engagements. We believe that education and skill development can empower the under-served. Over the last few years, the company has consistently engaged with institutions supporting children and the youth with special needs.
Scholarship for girls pursuing Engineering Degree
Since 2015, Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited, in association with the Lila Poonawalla Foundation, has awarded scholarships to financially disadvantaged but academically bright girls so they can pursue engineering degrees. So far, the company has supported scholarships for 133 students. 36 students have successfully completed the engineering degree and are either working or pursuing higher education.
In addition to the financial support for their education, the girls are mentored by professionals from different industry sectors, offered internship in Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited and provided supplementary training to assist with their personal development.
Upgradation of Government ITI, Pimpri Chinchwad
After successfully concluding a 5-year agreement in September 2021, Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited has signed a 2nd memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Directorate of Vocational Education & Training (DVET), Government of Maharashtra for further upgradation of the government ITI in Pimpri Chinchwad.
Industrial Training Institutes (ITI) are post-secondary school training institutes in India that provide a good foundation in vocational skills (e.g. training to be a fitter, plumber, electrician, auto mechanic and others).
Some of the outcomes of the upgradation work undertaken in Phase I included:
Modern learning environment and functional equipment
Improved sanitation and hygiene enabled for about 600 students and staff
Introduction of Finishing school curriculum covering a wide range of topics:
Increased green cover on campus
Fitness and well-being
Mini Science Centres in Municipal Corporation Schools
The company has set up mini science centres in 4 Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly known as Aurangabad) municipal corporation schools with the help of STEM Learning. The endeavor is to provide students with more experiential learning to clarify basic concepts in Science and Math.
The support from Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited covers training for teachers and installation of required equipment and apparatus, and monitoring and evaluation of learning outcomes. The Science and Math models are mapped with the syllabus of the Maharashtra State Board. The ownership of the Mini Science Centre will be transferred to the schools once the set-up is done.
Supporting the mid-day meal programme in Zilla Parishad schools
Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited is supporting the mid-day meal programme in select Zilla Parishad Schools in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly known as Aurangabad) in association with Annamrita Foundation. The aim of this project is in line with the objective of the national programme to improve nutritional level in children from disadvantaged sections of the society and to increase their enrolment and attendance in schools.
In 2021-22 ,with the help of Annamrita foundation, Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited provided nutritious food items to ZP rural students.
NFBM’s Jagriti School for Blind Girls
Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited has been associated with the Jagriti School for Blind Girls, Pune since 2015. The company had extended financial support for the construction of their new school building in 2015 and had provided scholarships to students. Company employees have also been supporting the school in their individual capacities and as teams.
Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited has also provided financial support for the construction of new hostel buildings. Once constructed, the hostel building along with the school building which was inaugurated in 2016 will enable Jagriti School to have one of the best educational and residential infrastructure for the visually impaired in the region.
