India is a nation at a crossroads. It enjoys a booming economy, with GDP growing at more than 8%. Young people (who constitute 40% of the population) have never had more opportunities. Many find themselves earning more today at age 25 than their parents do right now at age 50+. But there is another India. An India that earns less than $1 per person, per day. An India where young people often never go to school or drop out early because they have to help support their families.
Practical experience has shown that educational training courses just four to six months in length can boost the earnings of trainees by 100% or more. In the long term, empowerment through better education is a fantastic strategy, boosting income and the quality of work of children who have been given a caring, English-medium education.
Education is a priority for both HOPE foundation and Wal-Mart, and thus the establishment of the Industrial Centres of HOPE is a great opportunity for an effective partnership. India is a crucial element in Wal-Mart's global supply chain. Many of Wal-Mart’s suppliers and their related factories with their thousands of workers stand to gain from the partnership of the HOPE foundation and Wal-Mart. Additionally, families of workers as well as the communities in which they live would also benefit from this relationship. Workers of tomorrow need better skills than those of today. Excellent communication skills of workers and management are essential for a win-win situation for both the workers as well as the management. Industrial Centres of HOPE established in areas where Wal-Mart’s suppliers already have factories could make a significant impact in improving communication skills.
HOPE foundation has extensive traditional education as well as vocational education programs, including teaching social skills (in its schools and training centres). Five centres in communities with many factory workers have been set up, with support of Wal-Mart at:
The five centres will help young people from the area through vocational training (including Spoken English, computer training and "soft skills" training). Training is tailored to the needs of nearby factories and modules will be developed in consultation with local companies. The children of factory workers will be educated or tutored in an English medium school.
