Pimpri Chinchwad: Lighthouse Centres To Open In Eight Zones By January, PCMC To Start Scholarship And Recruit Lighthouse Youth: Municipal Commissioner Shekhar Singh

Pimpri, 11th December 2022: In a major push to the Lighthouse Foundation, which imparts free-of-cost skills training to youth from underprivileged communities, Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) will help start Lighthouse Centres in all eight zones.

At present, a Lighthouse centre is functional in Pimpri, while the second one in Nigdi has just started operations.

PCMC Commissioner Shekhar Singh recently visited Pimpri Lighthouse Centre. He was briefed on Lighthouse’s journey of transforming the lives of underserved youth. “Lighthouse centres have made a hallmark in training youth and boosting their confidence to face the world. At present, there is only one Lighthouse Centre in the PCMC area, which has trained 950 students till now, and 300 of them have already got jobs,” he said.

Singh added, “We plan to open Lighthouse Centres in all eight zones. I appeal to industries and CSR partners to lend a helping hand.”

He motivated the youth and spent quality time with them, answering their queries and understanding their concerns.

In the action plan municipal commissioner mentioned:

– Arrange a UPSC and MPSC guidance lecture for all Lighthouse passed students.

– PCMC will sponsor a Spoken English online module for a few interested students.

– Start a MERIT SCHOLARSHIP – amongst students who have passed out of Lighthouse after basic Skilling – to fund professional Skilling courses by the corporation.

– All future IEC Health people to be recruited from Lighthouse youth as a platform.

Deepika Kedia, Maharashtra Operations Head of Lighthouse Centres, said, “In the last 1.7 years, more than 950 youth have enrolled, and 300 placed so far in the companies like D Mart, Synergy, Exeburent, Reliance, SBI, etc.”

The Lighthouse was started with the support of PCMC and Atlas Copco-the donor partners, in March 2021. While PCMC made available the space, physical infrastructure, and ideas of inclusion, Atlas Copco helped with the operational expenses required to run the program efficiently.

“PCMC helped us engage with COVID-impacted families and transgenders, along with other underprivileged youth from the nearby areas. With this support, we are enabling the agency and bringing livelihood opportunities to the youth in need of such support. The commissioner’s visit to the Lighthouse was a testimony to the commitment of the PCMC to build an inclusive and fair society,” she added.