History of Kaushalya Vikas Kendra (KViK)
KViK is a “Not-for-Profit” company, registered u/s. 8 of companies Act, engaged in empowering poor people through training in vocational skills. It provides very short-term courses at affordable cost in skills that are in great demand. KViK’s vision is to provide skilled craftsmen and workers to the economy for its growth and its mission has been to turn this vision in to reality by counselling, training and equipping young boys and girls with a “skill for life”.
Started in the year 2013, KViK was quickly recognised by the industry and commerce as a unique and model Vocational Training Provider (VTP). The training started with Electrician course in 2013, followed by Electronics technician, Computer Hardware technician and Plumber training in 2014. Water Purifier Technician course was added in 2015 in collaboration with Eureka Forbes Limited. Technicians were absorbed by franchisees of Eureka Forbes in towns like Davanagere, Dharwad and Belgaum. Tailor and Beautician courses were added in 2016.
The operations were scaled up in collaboration with Brickwork Foundation in 2016. In the same year, Embroidery course was added in collaboration with Madura Coats Limited. In order to meet the requirement of housewives to earn while working from home, Self-Help-Groups were formed after training in tailoring and embroidery in 2017. To meet the growing needs of the small and medium scale entrepreneurs, Accounts Assistant with Tally course was introduced with help from Rotary Club and CSR funding by a few companies. Training in Spoken English and other soft skills also were provided to students. Special summer training courses were conducted in collaboration with Vidya International and Dream Path Foundation.
KViK entered in to an agreement with Karnataka Skill Mission in 2018 and introduced Data Entry Operator and Beauty Therapist courses. This arrangement is continuing.
True to its promoters’ vision, KViK has provided sustainable career for about 2000 boys and girls without college education until 2019. Many of them have become successful entrepreneurs, creating more jobs! COVID pandemic and restrictions on conducting classes disrupted the KViK operations from 2020 to 2012. However, virtual classes were conducted to for theory classes to keep the students refreshed. With the taking over of KViK management and ownership by Sri Yathiraja Ramanuja Trust and scaling up of operations, two more training centres were opened: one in Malleshwaram and one in Basavanagudi. A few new skills were also added to the bouquet of courses offered.
As the logo of KViK suggests, promoters believe that every person has a hidden talent or skill, which is like uncut diamond. Once polished, its value multiplies hundred times! However, identifying the youth who have missed a high school or college education and motivating them to improve their career prospects by undergoing vocational training is an arduous task. In addition to spreading the message of career opportunities through its website, FaceBook page and YouTube, KViK developed innovative methods to create awareness and motivate the youth:
- It has produced a short film on career opportunities in vocational training.
- It has produced a street play and enacted in PU colleges and high schools.
- KViK has also produced a short video in which alumni have shared their experience. The video is shown to students in PU colleges and high schools.
- KViK has adopted “learning by doing” methodology, which makes learning a fun!
KViK has built a reputation for high quality job-oriented training. In order to cater to the needs of the poor rural youth, KViK had set up fully equipped dormitory next to the training centre in Weavers Colony. The dormitory has been closed with the shifting of this training centre to Orkay House, Vishweshvarapuram, Bengaluru.
Industry has been supporting KViK in placement of our students as well as funding. Reliance Digital, Jeeves Services and many Small and Medium Scale Entrepreneurs (SME) have been recruiting our trained students with good remuneration.
Dr. G. K. Jayaram, Mr. F. R. Singhvi, Mr. (late) Krishnamurthy Vijaykumar and Dr. Surendra Kulkarni formed Advisory Board of KViK and guided its journey through the years.
In the exciting journey of KViK, the role played by its core Team of volunteers has been very significant. Mrs. Rajalakshmi Natarajan, Mrs. Vaishali Khandekar, Mrs. Krupa Chakravarty, Mrs. Seethalakshmi Rao, Mr. A. G. Panduranga, and Mrs. Vandana Malaiya were the Core Team members.
With fresh investment and management support from Sri Yathiraja Ramanuja Trust in 2020, the company now has plans for further growth by widening the training scope and opening more branches.