On the evening of February 24th, The Residency Club in Bund Garden Road was buzzing with energy and excitement as the “Connecting Pathways” event celebrated a remarkable achievement. We at Lighthouse have been working tirelessly to help young individuals from low-income communities find meaningful employment. We have surpassed a monumental milestone – over 10,000 successful job placements in just five years.
The occasion brought together a diverse group of attendees, including the program’s employer partners, alums currently employed by these companies, skilling partners, and Lighthouse team members.
As the soulful song performed by the youth of Pimpri Lighthouse filled the air, two alums and the esteemed guests lit the ceremonial lamp, marking the beginning of the event. Mamta Naidu, Head, Skilling and Placement, Lighthouse Communities Foundation, revealed that an astounding 11,895 young individuals had been placed in successful jobs, with an average salary of Rs 10,510 per month and the highest salary reaching an impressive Rs 70,000 per month. The placements included a mix of 12th pass, graduate, and 10th pass or below individuals, with 56% of those placed being female, 43% male, and 1% identifying as others.
Throughout the event, the youth and employers shared their experiences and perspectives on the program, showcasing the power of collective action in driving positive change. With over 50 donors, 100 implementation partners, and 7,500 employers involved in the program’s ecosystem, the Lighthouse Program has undoubtedly made a significant impact on the community.
Principal Global Services, our valued partner, has extended its support beyond the Hadapsar Lighthouse to now also become a donor partner for the Hyderabad Lighthouse. In addition to their generous contributions, they are also a key player in our mission to empower the next generation of IT professionals as a major employer of youth in the industry. Neha Deosthale, Senior Director of Principal Global Services, expressed her satisfaction with the progress of the Lighthouse Program and their objectives of skill-building and employment. “We have some hires from Lighthouse, and we will continue to do that, looking at the talent and potentially available,” she said.
The dynamic exchange between employers and alumni has facilitated a deeper appreciation and comprehension of Lighthouse’s scope of work, thereby paving the way for a broader collaborative effort at an elevated level. This engagement has unlocked several promising opportunities for constructive partnership and collaboration.
The event was a beautiful display of recognition and appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the program’s beneficiaries and stakeholders, and a testament to the power of hope and opportunity.
The program is being run with support from Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) to provide access to free skills training and empower individuals to break the cycle of poverty and achieve their dreams. At present, there are 13 centres in PMC areas and two centres in PCMC areas.
