'The Power To Empower 2013 Challenge' plug India’s skill development void

Power To Empower (P2E 2013), a national skills development challenge organized by National Skills Development Corporation (NSDC) and India@75 (a CII initiative aimed at realizing the dream of an inclusive, sustainable and developed India by the year 2022) recently launched it’s third edition. Supported by the Muthoot Pappachan Foundation, the CSR arm of the Muthoot Pappachan Group, the P2E 2013 Challenge is aimed at identifying, selecting and rewarding the best solutions bridging the gap between the supply and demand of skilled labor in India.

The application period is open until December 1, 2013.

Background:

Approximately 53 per cent of employers in India say that skills deficiency is one of the key reasons for entry-level vacancies. Currently, of the 15 million individuals who enter the work force, only 3 per cent undergo vocational training due to limited access to such training opportunities in a fast growing economy. As a result, a majority of India’s population cannot realize the employment opportunities necessary to improve their income and lead a more prosperous life.

P2E 2013 invites entrepreneurs, students, non-profits, corporates as well as enterprises with innovative and scalable solutions to apply for this challenge. Applications for P2E 2013 will be accepted as part of two distinct categories – “Idea” and “Operations”. The Idea category will focus only on short ideas with a solution concept developed only on paper whereas the Operations category will be open to those with an existing for or non-profit solution already in place addressing this issue.

The winner of the Idea and Operations categories will receive Rs 1.5 lakh and 3.5 lakh cash respectively by the Muthoot Pappachan Foundation, the CSR arm of the Muthoot Pappachan Group. In addition, both winners will also receive access to the high profile capacity building Empretec program, an initiative of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.

Three finalists within each category will also be chosen, and in addition to the winners, will receive national visibility, networking opportunities, passes to high profile events and capacity building support through access to training courses and renowned experts.

The first connector of a winner and the applicant with the highest public votes in each category will also receive a cash reward of Rs 10,000 and Rs 15,000 respectively.

 Complete selection criteria for both categories can be found here.

“P2E 2013 is one such initiative that will foster creation of self-sustainable business models in the skilling space in India. The competition aims to propel India’s growth story by creating a large pool of industry ready workmen and also catalyse improved livelihood for millions across the country,” said Dilip Chenoy, CEO and MD of NSDC.

“Now in its third year, P2E has previously helped students realize their entrepreneurial dreams and also provided strategic support to early-stage enterprises with solutions addressing India’s skill gaps,” added Rajan Navani, Chairman, National Committee, India@75.

For more details visit www.powertoempower.in

About India@75

India@75 is a grassroots initiative aimed at realizing the dream of an inclusive, sustainable and developed India by the year 2022, when India completes 75 years of Independence. It is a universal vision for India shared by Indians from all geographies and all walks of life. The initiative is incubated and supported by the Confederation Indian Industry (CII).

About Ennovent

Ennovent is an innovation accelerator. We provide services to accelerate for-profit innovations for sustainability in low-income markets in developing countries. We specialise in helping clients discover enterprises with novel solutions, develop business models to start-up enterprises, provide finance by facilitating early-stage investments and grow operations to scale profit and impact. Since 2008, Ennovent has worked with over 4,800 Network members, 15 Circle members and 10 Solution clients to accelerate over 80 innovations in 10 countries.

About TiE Delhi-NCR

The Delhi Chapter is among the largest and most vibrant across the vast TiE network. In the last 12 years, of its existence it has emerged as the forum of choice for startups, serial entrepreneurs, VC and angel investors, policy makers and academia. At the heart of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, TiE Delhi plays the role of an ecosystem builder by bringing in multiple stakeholders and values to align with the common goal to foster entrepreneurship. It boasts of an active membership of 1500 members in the Delhi-NCR region and conducts 60+ events in a year.

About Muthoot Pappachan Group and Muthoot Pappachan Foundation

Muthoot Pappachan Group is a diversified corporate conglomerate with presence across various businesses. In financial services, it offers a range of products & services including gold loan, auto loan, affordable housing finance & microfinance through a wide network of over 3600 branches. Muthoot Pappachan Foundation (MPF), the CSR arm of the Muthoot Pappachan Group, facilitates the CSR activities for the entire Group Companies. Its objective is to build a framework of corporate social responsibility with a philanthropic approach in line with business unit objectives. The CSR initiatives are focussed on the areas of Health, Education, Environment and Livelihood (HEEL).