PBSSD Skill Training Programme
Accredited short-duration skill training for out-of-school youth under West Bengal's state skill mission.
About This Project
Implemented under the Paschim Banga Society for Skill Development (PBSSD), this programme delivered 400-hour vocational training in Beauty & Wellness, Retail, and IT-enabled services to over 1,800 youth aged 18–35 across 6 districts. All training was conducted at BITAN's PBSSD-approved training centres, equipped with sector-specific tools and infrastructure.
A defining feature of this programme was its focus on employability beyond technical skills — every batch received modules on communication, workplace behaviour, financial management, and digital literacy, delivered by HR professionals from partner companies. Regular industry interface sessions brought corporate representatives into the training centres.
End-to-end placement support included CV preparation, interview coaching, and direct referrals to employer partners. The programme maintained a rigorous 72% placement rate — measured at 3 months post-certification — against PBSSD's benchmark of 60%.
What We Did
- 400-hour accredited vocational training — Beauty & Wellness, Retail, IT job roles
- Employability modules — communication, workplace behaviour, financial literacy, digital basics
- Industry interface sessions — HR professionals and employer representatives visit centres
- Assessment and certification — PBSSD-approved assessment bodies
- CV preparation and interview coaching workshops
- Campus placement drives — 12 events, 45+ employer partners
- 3-month post-placement follow-up — support for graduates in first months of employment
From the Field
Challenges & How We Addressed Them
Dropout during the 400-hour training cycle was a persistent risk, especially for youth with family financial pressures. BITAN introduced a stipend-linked attendance system — providing a small daily transport allowance contingent on attendance above 80% — which reduced mid-course dropout rates from 22% in the first batch to under 8% by the third batch.
“I had dropped out of college because my family couldn't afford the fees. I thought my future was over. After the Beauty & Wellness course at BITAN's centre, I am now working at a salon in Kolkata and sending money home every month.”
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