Going against the tide of recession and retrenchments, 250 youngsters from rural areas have been promised a hundred per cent placement in malls on completion of their retail management course next month. The batch will be given free training in the course by three private agencies selected by the state government as part of a special programme for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe youth.

“Though the programme has been there for two years, it is only now that the state has been able to finalise the agencies for training and get a 100 per cent placement assurance from them. In the last two years, nearly 7,000 students underwent training from small private firms, but only 3,300 could get a job immediately,” said Commissioner of Employment and Self-Employment Rajiv Jalota.

The youngsters will begin their 45-day course from November 15 at three locations in Pune. With the budget allocating Rs 85 lakh to the retail management scheme this year, Jalota said a target of training 2,500 youth had been set for the state. “The government will be paying nearly Rs 3,190 towards the training expense of each candidate, which includes Rs 2,740 towards training and Rs 450 towards travel expenses. With these agencies already having a tie-up with companies, it becomes easy for the student to be placed.”

The placement will be done through the District Employment Agency (DEA). The three agencies, selected after a tender process, are MT Educare, Pratham Infotech and Ideal Solutions.

The 250 students will be divided among the institutes conducting courses in Kothrud, Pimpri and Chinchwad areas. The training will also include an internship week at the malls.

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