Lanjigarh: In the heart of Odisha’s tribal belt, Vedanta Lanjigarh’s ambitious Skill Development Programme (SDP) is rewriting the narrative of rural youth employability. Through comprehensive industry-aligned training and strategic employment avenues, the initiative is not only empowering local communities but also driving socio-economic transformation in Kalahandi district.As India’s leading producer of smelter-grade alumina and a subsidiary of Vedanta Aluminium, Vedanta Lanjigarh is leveraging its flagship SDP to bridge the skill gap and uplift rural livelihoods. The program is closely aligned with the Government’s Viksit Bharat mission, aiming to build a skilled and self-reliant workforce in the region. Speaking on the transformative potential of SDP, Pranab Kumar Bhattacharya, CEO of Vedanta Alumina Business, said, “At Vedanta, our vision is to harness the potential of the local youth, our demographic dividend, by offering them comprehensive industry-aligned training.” He emphasised the initiative’s focus on providing local youth with access to promising career paths, effectively integrating them into the socio-economic mainstream. “This transformative programme exemplifies our commitment to building a skilled and self-reliant workforce in the region we operate,” Bhattacharya added, underlining Vedanta’s dedication to community development. The initiative is strategically aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 1 – “No Poverty” and SDG 8 – “Decent Work and Economic Growth.” It also resonates with the national vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India), bolstering rural employability and entrepreneurship. In collaboration with the Odisha Skill Development Authority (OSDA) and the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Vedanta’s SDP has adopted a two-pronged approach: skill training and employment facilitation. The program aims to train over 1,200 rural youth over the next three years, equipping them with the expertise needed for sustainable livelihoods. Since its inception, the SDP has made remarkable strides in empowering rural youth. Fifteen batches of students have been successfully trained in the food and beverage trade, with 475 out of 632 trainees securing placements in prestigious organizations across 11 states. Notable employers include Absolute Barbeques Nation, Golf Club, Club Mahindra, and Belgian Waffles.