'Mission Employment' for physically challenged

Kochi, May 28 (UNI) Sharjah-based management consultancy firm 'Support Links Worldwide' today announced a training programme in India to equip disabled people to become entrepreneurs.

Addressing a press conference here, Support Links Director (Marketing) Saji Ittoop Thomas said the one-year programme, called 'Mission Employment', was organised in association with Santhigiri College of Computer Sciences at Vazhithala in Idukki district of Kerala.

The pilot project would train 60 selected physically challenged persons in two batches of 30 each.

On completion of the training, the persons would be assisted to start their own ventures to be financially independent.

''Today, the physically challenged are dependent on the society for sustenance and employment. However, they can be effectively trained and developed to undertake business ventures of their own or get suitably employed,'' Mr Thomas said.

The training programme, expected to cost about Rs three crore, would be free of cost for the candidates.

''We are looking for sponsorships from individuals and corporates who share a genuine concern for this unfortunate section of the society,'' project CEO Babu Pappachan said.

Individuals between 18 and 45 years, who have passed Class X and who have good working knowledge of English, were eligible to apply for the programme. The candidates would be selected on the basis of a written test and an interview.

Trainers from the UK and UAE would be involved in the programme, which would include classes in international marketing, supply chain, conceptualisation and development of business projects, project funding and financial management, human resource and team management, business process, ERP and tools for business management and software applications.

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