Mukul Jadyal from Jaybhavaninagar slum studied Diploma in Media Marketing. However, he was not able to get a job. He learned about the Lighthouse Communities, supported by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Bajaj Auto Limited, for imparting skill development courses to youth from the economically weaker sections of society. He did a digital marketing course and now has a job with Rs 50,000 per month salary in Chennai.

Nikita Tambe from Janata Vasahat slum with a BE degree was not getting placed through her college. She completed the Full Stack Developer course from Lighthouse centre and now has a job at an IT company with Rs 30,000 per month salary.

Mukul and Nikita are among 165 youth from Janta Vasahat Lighthouse centre who have received job placements in the last year. Till now, 609 candidates have enrolled at the centre, which started on 25th September 2022.

PMC’s Chief Social Development Officer Ramdas Chavan informed, “Pune Municipal Corporation and Lighthouse Communities Foundation have been implementing the Lighthouse program for the last 6 years in Pune. Janata Vasahat Lighthouse launched a year ago and is now celebrating its first anniversary. PMC has been keen to start the Lighthouse program in Janata Vasahat since it is the largest slum community in the city. We are happy to share that in the last year, Janata Vasahat Lighthouse has transformed the lives of 609 youth with the highest salary being Rs. 50000/- per month.  We wish Janata Vasahat Lighthouse all the best for future endeavours.”

Speaking about his experience, Mukul said, “The foundation course helped me identify my potential. I have got a job, and within a short duration, I have been made head of the department in the company.”

Nikita added, “When I first got to know about Lighthouse in our area, I was so delighted. I looked for courses aligned with my academics. I found the Full Stack Developer course very useful and enrolled. I also attended job preparedness sessions which helped me get a job. I have completed six months of on-job training and am now further placed in Mumbai. I appeal to youth that you must come to Lighthouse; it has so much to offer.”

Ruchi, Director and CEO of Lighthouse Communities Foundation, said, “Opening a Lighthouse in Janta Vasahat was a dream because Janta Vasahat is the largest slum community in Pune with more than 10,000 slum households. We are grateful to PMC for providing this space for the community where they can feel a sense of belongingness. As we complete one year, I hear so many success stories, which is incredible. Today in Pune, there are 12 Lighthouses, and with further support from PMC, we will soon be opening a Lighthouse in each of the 15 wards. In the next two years, there will be more than 30,000 alumni across Pune; we are already 20,000. Thank you also to Bajaj Auto. This day would probably not have come if it had not been for them.”

CP Tripathi, advisor CSR, Bajaj Auto Limited, supporting the Janta Lighthouse centre, said, “We are invested in skilling and improving quality of life for youth from marginalized communities living in the districts where Bajaj Auto’s manufacturing plants are located. In alignment with this, we extended our support for starting a Lighthouse in Janata Vasahat – the largest slum community in Pune. We are happy that the centre is progressing well and that in the coming years, it will continue to serve youth from Janata Vasahat to make them job-ready.”