skill training As a core service for migrants Aajeevika Bureau creates regular opportunities for skill training and upgradation to help them improve their prospects in the labour markets, enhance their incomes, and establish themselves more lucratively in an environment that is offering better returns. Typically rural youth do not enter urban markets with adequate skills, confidence and networks and they tend to cluster at lower ends of the value chain – in jobs that demand high physical labour, are risky and unstable but not rewarding. Most unskilled youth are brought to labour markets through contractors and middlemen and the lack of skills keep them tied to unfair arrangements for long periods of time. Lack of skills results also in early attrition of migrants from employment – experience is rarely rewarded and they are easily replaced by fresh droves of workers prepared to work at low wages. In order to help rural migrants, especially younger workers, break into the new, more skilled niches of the market, Aajeevika Bureau facilitates vocational training and up-gradation in a variety of skills. The Bureau has devised special programmes and modules aimed to include those who do not have enough time to invest in long term trainings and who cannot afford disruptions in their earnings. Rural youth identified through Bureau’s own centres as well as through its partner agencies are provided with hands-on training opportunities. Trainings are conducted in all the field centres of the Bureau and often in collaboration with other training institutions who have the infrastructure and expertise for this unique group of young learners. The trainings offered by the Bureau combine rigourous and practical technical training with a series of life skills, personality and confidence building inputs. The Bureau has learnt that the ability to negotiate markets and new opportunities require skills that go beyond technical proficiency in a particular trade or occupation. The Bureau has facilitated training in the following skills: Plumbing House Wiring Masonry Welding Carpentry Hospitality and Hotel Services Retail, salesmanship and customer relationship Office assistance and secretarial practice Apparel production and industrial tailoring Driving employment counselling and placement Aajeevika Bureau serves as the node of finding and disseminating regular information on jobs, openings and vacancies amongst its clients. The Training and Placement Cell of the Bureau continuously scans markets and is also approached by a wide number of employers looking for workers in various positions. If considered suitable in terms of offer and work conditions, the Bureau disseminates this information through its field teams across their areas of operation. Rozgar Melas (Employment Fairs) are regularly organized by the Bureau in order to bring employers together with potential workers. These events are also used by the teams to build a data base of interested youth to who information can be given at a time when there is a more appropriate opening for them.  The Bureau teams also counsel youth in making appropriate career or training choices. All Trainees of Aajeevika Bureau are provided a one-time placement opportunity at the conclusion of their training. In case of their drop out or retrenchment, the Bureau provides them with additional connections and networks for ensuring that they remain in the job markets.   placements@aajeevika.org