15 July, 2025 Community
Industry-relevant training in technical and soft skills enables youngsters in Sambalpur to aim higher and achieve more
It's no exaggeration to say that Aditya Birla Skills Centre at Sambalpur, Odisha is changing lives. Take the story of Mangala Sahu. Participating in the 3-month fashion technician course at the skilling centre gave her more than knowledge and training – it gave her the self-confidence to aim for independence. She is now an entrepreneur, having established the Mangala Fancy Tailoring shop. "When you decide to move forward, nothing is impossible. The training gave me the confidence to become self-dependent,” says Mangala.
The Aditya Birla Skills Centre, launched in May 2024, is part of a youth skilling initiative that has been conceived and encouraged by Hindalco’s leadership. The centre was envisioned with a clear and meaningful purpose — to equip the youth of Sambalpur with practical, job-ready skills that lead to dignified employment and long-term growth. Sambalpur is the hub for several Hindalco units, including Aditya Aluminium and the Hirakud FRP Unit.
In just over a year since inception, the skills centre has helped transform the lives of over 300 young individuals. Just as important, the centre has achieved a remarkable 100% placement record for those interested in taking up employment. Others like Ms. Sahu have taken the small business route.
Inclusion is a high priority for the centre; 65% of the students are young women looking for opportunities. A majority of the trainees — 79% — come from lower middle-class families, and as many as 95% are the first-ever in their families to work in a professional job. For them, the centre opens up undreamt-of avenues for betterment.
Pathways to progress
While the launch of new technical and mechanical courses is on the cards, at present, the centre offers a diverse range of courses:
- Fashion Technician
- Electrical Technician
- Consumer Durable Technician
- Financial Services Associate
- Retail Sales Associate
The centre has partnered with some of the best in the industry — including Bosch India Foundation, Singer India, and Skillsonics — to ensure that candidates receive the latest and most relevant training that matches real-world industry standards.
Beyond technical skills, the centre has planned a well-rounded learning experience. Essential life skills such as soft skills, communicative English, digital literacy, financial literacy, and social awareness are included, to help trainees develop the confidence to earn their livelihoods. The centre also engages parents and guardians throughout the training journey, strengthening the support system around every trainee and increasing their chance of success.
Real people, real impact
Managed by Mr. Manoranjan Mahakud, the centre is striving to build a cohort of capable, confident youth that can answer industries need for skilled personnel. Take Bishal Sahani from Bareipali in Sambalpur district. He worked as a bike mechanic but yearned for something more. Discovering Aditya Birla Skills Centre became a turning point in his life. Bishal enrolled in the Consumer Durable Technician (CDT) course and today works as a Team Manager at Resolute Electronics, a Hyderabad-based firm, earning Rs. 17,000 per month.
Another inspiring story is that of Jyoti Kumari Das, who courageously chose to enroll in the Electrical Technician trade — a field largely seen as male-dominated. After losing her parents, she had shouldered the responsibility of raising her four younger sisters. With three months of rigorous training, backed by her unshakable determination, Jyoti secured a job at Premier Energy, a Hyderabad-based company. Her journey is admirable — and proof that skilling can truly change lives.
Aligned with Global Goals
The Aditya Birla Skills Centre is aligned with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — particularly Goal 4 (Quality Education), Goal 5 (Gender Equality) and Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). Every course, every placement and every empowered youth is a step toward building a stronger, more equal and prosperous future.
