Chennai: As part of its CSR Initiative, BNY Mellon in partnership with Stella Maris College for Women and International Association for Human Values (IAHV) today announced the inauguration of Skill Development Centre. Located in the college premises, the center will aim to educate over 8000 youngsters in essential soft skills and Digital Literacy to be industry ready, in the next three years. Mr. SudishPanicker, MD and Head – BNY Mellon International Operations (India) inaugurated the center in the presence of Dr. Sr. Rosy Joseph, FMM, Principal – Stella Maris College, Mr. Ramesh R, CEO – IAHV and other dignitaries.

With the demand for skilled talent pool across industry segment on the rise, the Skills Development Centre will offer a wide variety of soft skill and digital literacy courses for the students. The curriculum has been carefully aligned to match the current industry demands and help create skilled workforce for the future. Equipped with a sound infrastructure and a strong board of faculty members from Stella Maris College, the centre also encourages participation from youngsters of marginalized community with sessions dedicated every Friday of the week to train and groom them in skills for career development and digital literacy.

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Sudish Panicker, MD and Head – BNY Mellon International Operations (India), said “We are delighted to be launching our second Skills Development Centre in India in partnership with two of the most reputed institutions. The timing is perfect as there has been an increasing focus by the Central Government through its Skill India initiatives to enable youngsters with necessary skill for career development. Our aim is to nurture youngsters to face technical challenges along with their academic qualifications in order to be readily absorbed by companies. We are confident that by collaborating with SMC and IAHV, the students will have the right exposure and get timely insights from industry experts.”

Adding to this, Dr. Sr. Rosy Joseph, FMM, Principal – Stella Maris College, said “Stella Maris has been pioneering significant initiatives that benefit community and students. Keeping in line with that, we are delighted to be launching Skills Development Centre, which is a real need of the hour. Through this center our faculty will educate students and many youngsters from neighboring community with skills that are relevant and in need today, at no cost. We are honored to be associated with BNY Mellon and IAHV in this initiative and hope to achieve great strides.”

Mr. Ramesh R, CEO – IAHV, said “Skill development should be viewed as a means to employment and also to create sustainable livelihoods. Skills Development Centre launched in collaboration with SMC and BNY Mellon aims to do just that by bringing under its wing the youngsters from marginalized community. It gives us a sense of pride and joy that many youngsters will benefit from this initiative and be ready to take up job opportunities in a dynamic environment.”