SMART Centers

BCT partners with the Tech Mahindra Foundation, to run 3 SMART centers in Visakhapatnam. These centers focus on upskilling youth from economically weaker sections of the society. The employment-oriented training trains students in IT and ICT tools and technical skills. The centers also help provide placements to these students.

How it started?
When 33 villages got added to the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), this peri-urban region was seen to be resource-rich with youth. However, it was seen that these young boys and girls lacked employable skills. BCT thus partnered with the Tech Mahindra Foundation to set up 3 SMART centers in the city.

What it does?
Started in 2014, the centers operate in areas of Dwarakanagar and Gajuwaka, where they focus on upskilling economically backward youth in the region. With employment-oriented learning focused upon, the BCT TMF SMART centers provide short term training programs to high school/ intermediate/ graduate students. These students are also provided employment in suitable sectors.

Key features

• The SMART centers in Dwarakanagar and Gajuwaka operate with the objectives of providing training in IT and ICT tools.
• Students learn IT enabled services and Customer Relations & Sales.
• The SMART-T (Technical) center at Autonagar imparts technical skills to students.
• Students also learn conversational English and improve interpersonal skills that make them market-ready. Finally, entrepreneurial skills are imparted to promote self-employment among them.
• The students are provided NSDC complying Level 3 skill training on Electrical and Fitter skills, followed by effective placement support as well.