Large enterprises today are becoming increasingly aware of their responsibility in the social milieu in which they operate. British Gas (BG), as a matter of policy, co-operates actively with organisations devoted to social causes. BG India is part of BG Group, a leading international energy company. Wherever in the world it operates, BG Group strives to make a positive and meaningful contribution to community activities and to behave in a socially responsible manner. As part of its community activities, BG Group sponsors local groups, undertakes social impact assessments, develops community relationships and contributes to sustainable development.

BG and its subsidiary Gujarat Gas clasped hands with ICECD to take up a project in Ahmedabad urban slum to create entrepreneurs from potential youth as part of their corporate responsibility. BG/GG, apart from financial participation, actively involved themselves in the project. After an initial survey, the BG-ICECD pilot project was launched in Guptanagar, a sprawling slum on the fringe of Ahmedabad, to raise employment and income for its residents. The project was designed to explore ways and means of creating new jobs and raising worker productivity and income through appropriate interventions.

he world is already into the twenty-first century. India and the world are taking strides on the scientific and industrial fronts and our youth need to learn new techniques and skills to create a place for themselves. Employment and economic independence are basic necessities today to live with self-respect and dignity. While on the one hand there is the challenge to create employment opportunities for men and women, there is increasing demand and glaring shortage of trained personnel on the other.

Directors of ICECD & officials of BG-India discussing the finer points of the project.

The underlying objective of this project is to create market-oriented skills in slum-dwelling young men and women in Ahmedabad. To sum, the basic objectives of the initiative are:

	To reduce unemployment through creation of market oriented skills, keeping in view the demand for such skills
	To increase their productivity and incomes through active support, make them self-reliant and thereby raise their status in their community and the society;
	To identify concrete approaches

Imbibing the lessons

The objective inherent in any skill development training is obviously to develop potential persons, enabling and equipping them to finally establish and successfully manage their own livelihood. Considering these potential youth as the target group, the focus of training was naturally on the typical needs and demands of these entrepreneurs. The justification of training is not only because they are first-time learners but also because of the typical nature of their background. Hence, the task was :

	Motivate, strengthen and develop the skills, competencies, and abilities;
	Create confidence, through exposure to current industrial skills and procedures, enabling them to foresee and plan systematically and increase chances of success;
	Enable those who become tiny entrepreneurs to successfully manage their units, with management training.