Livelihood Overview
780+ Lives Reached in 2021/22
Cognizant Foundation supported livelihood training programmes for women, PwDs and underserved youth, with a special focus on technology-centric skilling.
Overview
780+ Lives Reached in 2021/22
In 2021/22, Cognizant Foundation underwent a strategic shift with more focus on inclusion and technology. In line with this change, we launched our flagship “Tech4All” programme which supports technology-centric training for women and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) for placements in various IT/ITeS sectors. We also continued to support other strategic programmes for skills training in other sectors for people from underserved communities.
Tech4All
Our flagship programme in Livelihood aims to convert the rising demand for IT-trained professionals into opportunities for PwDs and women.
and 100 women over 1 year
guaranteed placement
5 States
Tech4All
India is the second fastest growing digital economy in the world and according to India Skill Report, the country’s tech sector will deliver $1 trillion in economic value and sustain 65 million jobs by 2025. Through Tech4All, our flagship programme in Livelihood, we are aiming to convert the demand for IT-trained professionals into employment opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and women from economically weaker sections of society.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought in a “new normal” which is technology-centred. The new livelihood initiatives under the Tech4All programme aim to leverage advances in technology to make skilling efficient and improve the lives of the beneficiaries. Training is provided through a hybrid model which combines traditional classroom learning with self-paced online learning modules from MOOC platforms.
Cognizant Foundation has partnered with credible skill-training providers and organisations in identifying, training and supporting job placements which are done through a collaborative, multi-stakeholder partnership effort. Since this programme has a strong tech-training component, placements are targeted for tech-related roles.
Skilling Persons with Disabilities (Tech4All)
BPO Voice and Non-voice Training
Skilling is provided to PwDs between 18-35 years of age who have an educational qualification of 10th pass or above.
Train 480 youth over 1 year
PARTNER
Dr. Reddy’s Foundation, Hyderabad
LOCATIONS
Delhi-NCR | Karnataka | Telangana | West Bengal
Case Study
“With my new skills, I know that I will be able to build a better future for my family.”
“With my new skills, I know that I will be able to build a better future for my family.”
“My name is Sudipta Samanta. I come from Uluberia, a small village in the Howrah district of West Bengal.
I was born with a physical disability in my lower limbs, which means that I am not able to walk properly. As a child, I was constantly made fun of by children in my school. My disability was not something I had a choice in. It was something I was born with, and yet, I was called names and bullied. I remember going to bed at night crying and asking my mother what I had done to deserve this treatment.
My father used to be a daily wage labourer. He never saw me as a burden and always motivated me to study and do better. It was thanks to his support that I went to college and did my graduation and post-graduation in Geography, a subject I am really interested in.
I wanted to support my parents and give them a better life. But, no matter how hard I tried, I wasn’t able to get a job. Some companies rejected me because of my lack of soft skills while others did so because of my disability.
My father is now too old to work, and I lost my mother recently to heart disease. One of my greatest regrets is that we couldn’t afford to give her proper medical care.
It was then, during one of the lowest moments of my life, that I got to know about the training programmes offered by Dr. Reddy’s Foundation (DRF), as part of the Tech4All initiative by Cognizant Foundation. I attended the sessions regularly and worked hard to improve my tech and communication skills. The classes also helped improve my confidence, giving me the courage to express myself better.
Thanks to this training, I am now working as a Customer Care Associate at Window Technologies Pvt. Ltd. and drawing a good salary. With my new skills, I know that I will be able to build a better future for my family.”
BPO Voice and Non-voice Training
Under this project, skilling is provided to PwDs between 18-35 years of age who have an educational qualification of 10th pass or above. They are trained in both voice and non-voice BPO processes for a period of 60 days. Once the course is complete, eligible candidates are placed in technology-enabled jobs in IT/ITeS and allied sectors with an average monthly salary from ₹10,000 to ₹12,000 and above.
Banking and Finance Training
Skilling is provided to PwDs (specifically orthopaedic disability and hearing impairment) who are 12th/2nd PUC pass or have a diploma/graduate qualification with skills in finance, accounting or banking.
Train 200 youth over 1 year
PARTNERS
Cheshire Disability Trust, Bengaluru | Christ University, Bengaluru
LOCATION
Bengaluru & Mysuru, Karnataka
Case Study
“Now I earn a decent salary that can support my family and have also had the opportunity to move to a big city like Bengaluru.”
“Now I earn a decent salary that can support my family and have also had the opportunity to move to a big city like Bengaluru.”
Her hunched back (a disability that she was born with which also affected her left leg, making it difficult to walk) is obvious to everyone who takes one look at Shanthamma. But what people often miss noticing is the self-confidence and determination to succeed which is written all over her face.
Shanthamma was born into an underprivileged family in Kalluru, a small village in Karnataka. Her family consists of her parents, four younger siblings and her grandmother, all of whom shared space in their small house. She studied in the local Government school and went on to graduate from the Government college in Gubbi (travelling 30 km every day), thanks to her mother’s support. Many of her family members had felt that there was no point in teaching a disabled girl, but Shanthamma’s mother ignored them all and motivated her daughter to achieve more.
Even though she was a graduate, Shanthamma lacked the necessary skills to work in a corporate set-up. Her disability, coupled with financial constraints, meant that she was not able to pursue any skills training either.
It was through a friend that Shanthamma learnt about the skilling programmes offered by Cheshire Disability Trust (CDT). She wasted no time in enrolling, and soon finished her training in accounting. CDT was so impressed by her performance that she was hired by the NGO in their accounting section. Later, looking for better opportunities, she attended a job fair where she was hired by Infosys – winning their Best Performer Award in the first year itself.
There was no stopping Shanthamma’s drive to improve, and soon, she joined the Tech4All online banking sessions offered by CDT, with support from Cognizant Foundation. She was the top performer in the post-training assessment test conducted by Christ University and is on the lookout for bigger and better career prospects.
“If not for the support from CDT and Cognizant Foundation, I would have remained stuck in my village. Now I earn a decent salary that can support my family and have also had the opportunity to move to a big city like Bengaluru. My achievements so far have been thanks to your support and I hope many more people like me receive it in the future,” Shanthamma says.
Banking and Finance Training
Under this project, skilling is provided to PwDs (specifically orthopaedic disability and hearing impairment) in the 18-35 age group who are 12th/2nd PUC pass or have a diploma/graduate qualification with skills in finance, accounting or banking. Training is provided for 30 days to help them get into tech-enabled corporate jobs in the banking/finance sector with an average monthly salary of ₹12,000. The curriculum for this project has been developed in partnership with Christ University, Bengaluru and it also prepares candidates for various banking exams.
Skilling Women (Tech4All)
Fin-Tech (TALLY)
Skilling is provided to women from marginalised families in Basic/Advanced IT with the aim of motivating them to opt for higher studies or take up accountant/fintech jobs.
Train 100 underprivileged women over 1 year
PARTNER
Association for Non-traditional Employment for Women (ANEW), Chennai
LOCATION
Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Fin-Tech (TALLY)
Under this project, skilling is provided to women from marginalised families in Basic IT and Advanced IT (TALLY) with the aim of motivating them to opt for higher studies or take up accountant/fintech jobs in BFSI and other sectors. About 80% of students trained in Basic IT are either employed or go for advanced studies, and around 70% of students trained in Advanced IT choose jobs in the financial sector. Most candidates earn a minimum monthly salary of at least ₹10,000.
Other Programmes
Cognizant Foundation has adopted Skilling Persons with Disabilities and Skilling Women as its key focus areas under livelihood. In 2021/22, the Foundation continued to support programmes providing sector-specific skills to deserving candidates, enabling the creation of sustainable employment.
Skilling Persons with Disabilities (Other)
Other Programmes
Over a billion people worldwide, 15 percent of the world's population, live with some form of disability, and disability prevalence is higher in developing countries. Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) are more likely to experience adverse socio-economic outcomes such as less education, poorer health outcomes, lower levels of employment, and higher poverty rates. The challenges become multi-fold if they are from more impoverished communities.
In India, PwDs have poorer health, lower education achievements, less economic participation, and higher rates of poverty compared to people without disabilities (The World Disability by WHO (2011)). The reason is partly that PwDs experience barriers in accessing services that many of us have taken for granted, including health, education, and employment. Improving the vocational training and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities is not only a critical element for enhancing the quality of life of these individuals and their families, but there are also substantial gains for the broader economy.
To improve the lives of persons with disabilities, Cognizant Foundation has adopted ‘Skilling Persons with Disability’ as one of its focus areas under Livelihood. The Foundation supports short-term skill training programmes that offer skill-building, life skills, soft skills training, and job placements for persons with disabilities. PWDs trained in these programmes graduate with specialised skills and become economically independent.
Women's empowerment is a critical part of a nation’s development, and it needs a balanced equation of her education, health, employability, and decision-making power. India needs to adopt a gendered lens in education and skilling programmes to overcome the challenges of an underrepresented section in the workforce and support women in securing and retaining jobs. The basic need for empowering women is to identify their skills, prepare them for jobs, and boost their performance by improving the quality of work in which they are involved. Providing skill training for women from underprivileged sections of society leads to the economic betterment of the women and their families.
Cognizant Foundation has adopted ‘Skilling Women’ as one of its focus areas under the pillar of Livelihood. In partnership with reputed not-for-profit organisations, women are provided training in specialised skills paving the way for them to become economically independent. Women are encouraged to take up industry-linked jobs or consider self-employment.
Skilling Persons with Disabilities (Other)
Service Sector Training
Cognizant Foundation supported setting-up skills training centres to upskill individuals with locomotor disabilities and hearing impairment.
Candidates trained over 3 years
Placement
BFSI, Hospitality, IT/ITeS, Retail and Tourism
PARTNERS
Cheshire Disability Trust, Bengaluru | Dr. Reddy’s Foundation, Hyderabad | Sarthak Educational Trust, New Delhi
LOCATIONS
Bengaluru, Karnataka | Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu | Devanahalli, Karnataka | Noida, UP
Case Study
"The training sessions allowed me to develop my skills and reshape my personality."
"The training sessions allowed me to develop my skills and reshape my personality."
Mukesh Meher was born into a low-income, farming family in a small village (around 20 km away from Kolkata) in West Bengal. When he was born, his entire family was overjoyed, but their happiness turned into anxiety within two months.
One day, his mother noticed that baby Mukesh was having a lot of discomfort in one arm and one leg. Concerned, his parents took him to a doctor who diagnosed the baby with a locomotor disability. They heard a lot of stories from friends, neighbours and extended family – stories of kids with disabilities who grow up and live a life of suffering. But, after discussing with doctors and hearing a lot of positive tales, Mukesh’s parents chose to raise him as a self-sufficient man who would hopefully be an example for other disabled people. In fact, at the age of 3, Mukesh was enrolled in a regular Government school just like any other child.
When Mukesh was in Class 11, his mother’s health started to deteriorate, and the family had a lot of financial difficulties as a result. However, Mukesh never lost sight of his goal and worked hard to pass Class 12, and three years later, graduated with a degree from a government institution as well.
Having a successful career was crucial for his family, and soon after graduation, Mukesh started job hunting. But, his disability, poor communication skills and lack of computer expertise meant that he was unable to get work in any industry.
In 2020, when Mukesh was watching an episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati on his brother’s phone, he learnt about Sarthak Educational Trust and the work they do. Feeling optimistic, he called Sarthak’s Kolkata office and learned about the training programme that was being conducted with support from Cognizant Foundation.
Mukesh enrolled in the training programme after receiving therapy. He diligently attended all the sessions and showed the same hard work and dedication that he had shown earlier in life. After three months, he was ecstatic to receive a call from his trainer informing him that he was shortlisted for an interview for the CRM position at Master Education Evam Welfare Society Samiti. He aced the interview and was hired the same day at a salary of ₹12,000 a month.
“It’s thanks to Sarthak and Cognizant Foundation that I have been able to make my dreams come true. The training sessions allowed me to develop my skills and reshape my personality. I wish this programme well and hope that it goes on to improve the lives of many people like me,” Mukesh says.
Case Study
"Hopefully, my success will be an inspiration to other disabled people as well."
"Hopefully, my success will be an inspiration to other disabled people as well."
Naveen Kumar was born into a farming family in Mothakal, a remote village in the Thiruvannamalai district of Tamil Nadu. His parents have a small piece of agricultural land in the village where they grow seasonal crops and the revenue from selling this produce is the only source of income for the family. His elder sister is married and lives in a neighbouring village while Naveen, who is hearing impaired, is staying with his parents after completing SSLC from the local Government school.
After finishing his schooling, Naveen wanted to study more. But, financial constraints and lack of access to institutions for hearing impaired students meant that he had to give up on his dream. He looked around to see if he could get a job and start supporting his family, but he was not able to due to COVID.
It was through one of the sign language interpreters who support hearing impaired candidates that Naveen heard about Cheshire Disability Trust (CDT) and the skilling programme supported by Cognizant Foundation. He enrolled for virtual training and over the next few months, learnt basic English communication, computer skills and general workplace ethics.
Once the training was complete, he was encouraged to take part in a special recruitment drive organised for Amazon. He passed the interview process and was selected as a Warehouse Executive with a monthly salary of ₹13,140.
“I am very thankful to CDT and Cognizant Foundation for helping me improve my skills and confidence. They helped me in ways I did not expect – from getting a PAN card to finding a PG near my workplace. I want to do well at Amazon, earn well and support my family. Hopefully, my success will be an inspiration to other disabled people as well,” Naveen says.
Service Sector Training
Cognizant Foundation supported setting-up skills training centres to provide industry-specific skill training and to upskill individuals with various disabilities. The sessions focus on the development of core employability skills which include different levels of English and communication skills, computer operations (including typing aptitude), soft skills, sector readiness skills and interview skills. Many beneficiaries are from rural areas and come from low-income backgrounds. Even though some have bachelor’s degrees, they lack the skills needed to succeed in a competitive work environment, which is addressed through this initiative.
Engineering Training
Cognizant Foundation supported the skill-training of PwDs from marginalised communities in two engineering trades – Fitter and Electronic Mechanic.
PwD Candidates Trained over 2 years
Placement
PARTNER
The Association of People with Disability, Bengaluru
LOCATION
North Karnataka
Case Study
"Thanks to this training programme, I have become financially independent and able to support my family.”
"Thanks to this training programme, I have become financially independent and able to support my family.”
Amaresh is a 19-year-old charming boy from Raichur, Karnataka. His family consisted of his mother, elder brother and younger sister – all of whom worked as daily-wage labourers on a nearby farm. His father had passed when he was 10 and his mother had taken care of all the kids single-handedly since then.
From a young age, Amaresh had wanted to earn money and help his mother, like the rest of his siblings. Unfortunately, he was born with very low vision, which meant that farm work was beyond him. While he was a good learner, his disability and the family’s financial condition meant that he could not study beyond Class 8.
It was through a Foundation course conducted by The Association of People with Disability (APD) that Amaresh first got to know about the organisation. He signed up for the programme which was held in the nearby village of Tavaragera and got to learn basic English, Maths, Team Building and other life skills, along with an overview of the work done by APD.
After the Foundation course, he enrolled in the Fitter programme, an initiative supported by Cognizant Foundation. As part of his training, he got to learn about a wide range of things including the identification of basic hand tools, assembly and disassembly, engineering drawing, and more. To improve his aptitude in other subjects, numerous assignments were given to him and over time, he also learnt sign language.
As part of the Fitter programme, he also underwent pre-employment training which sensitised him to concepts like work ethics, time management, interview skills, dress code, etc. He also had the opportunity to visit industries such as Associated Hydro Pressings Private Limited at Tin Factory, Bengaluru and understand the factory environment.
Once the training was complete, Amaresh was placed at Sahuwala Grains, a company in Kolar, Karnataka, with a starting salary of ₹10,000, along with free food and accommodation. He has since moved on and is now working in his home town and supporting his family.
“It was when I was feeling like a burden to those around me that APD and Cognizant Foundation gave me the support I needed. Thanks to this training programme, I have become financially independent and able to support my family,” Amaresh says.
Engineering Training
Cognizant Foundation supported the skill-training of PwDs from marginalised communities in the 18-35 age bracket from North Karnataka. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, traditional classroom training was replaced by a hybrid model where mobilisation and basic training were provided through virtual platforms. Job training was given physically, as required.
Training is provided for two engineering trades – Fitter and Electronic Mechanic. The former is a six-month integrated course that prepares trainees to work in a factory setting by providing conventional machine training, use of hand tools and machine assembly. The latter is a six-month integrated course in basic Electronics Engineering – circuit design, electronic components, tools and equipment, soldering and de-soldering, repair and maintenance of consumer and industrial appliances.
After the training period, candidates are provided placement assistance and given the support necessary to settle into their jobs. Around 67% of trainees have gotten jobs with most getting an average monthly salary of ₹13,650.
Skilling Women (Other)
Home Nursing Skill Training for Underserved Women
This project provides skill training in the home nursing trade to underprivileged women, mostly first-generation learners.
over 3 years
PARTNER
Association for Non-traditional Employment for Women (ANEW), Chennai
LOCATION
Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Case Study
"Thanks to this programme, I have grown into a strong individual with the confidence to handle anything."
"Thanks to this programme, I have grown into a strong individual with the confidence to handle anything."
“After completing my 10th standard, I had to quit school and join a textile shop as a sales girl to support my family. My father runs a small tea shop in the city and my mother is mostly bedridden because of a spinal cord-related issue. My sister, who was married and living with her husband, returned home with her 3 kids as her marriage had fallen apart.
My father and I were the only earning members of my family and expenses were mounting up.
I decided that I had to learn a skill that would let me have a good career and help me earn well. While I was looking for opportunities, I got to know about the Association for Non-traditional Employment for Women (ANEW) through some of my friends. ANEW was holding a camp about their home nursing programme, which was supported by Cognizant Foundation, at Pallavan Salai and my friends, who had already enrolled, encouraged me to sign up as well.
It turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life.
I enjoyed attending classes at ANEW and got a lot of hands-on experience working in hospitals. Once my training was complete, I got the opportunity to work as a home nurse at Anna Nagar. I was the happiest when my employer gave good feedback to ANEW about my work.
Thanks to this programme, I have grown into a strong individual with the confidence to handle anything. My elder sister was inspired to see me learn and earn and has enrolled in the same programme. I am sure that both of us will be able to lead a dignified life as we are able to earn for ourselves and support our families too.”
– Velanganni V., ANEW Home Nursing Batch 118
Home Nursing Skill Training for Underserved Women
A collaboration between Cognizant Foundation and Association for Non-traditional Employment for Women (ANEW), this project provides skill training in the home nursing trade to underprivileged women, mostly first-generation learners. Candidates undergo training in basic patient care, which includes geriatric and paediatric care along with spoken English, self-defence and life skills over a period of six months. Trainees are placed in hospitals/clinics or as home nurses with an average salary between ₹6,000 and ₹12,000. Since the programme's inception, 150 women have been trained with more than 75% placed.
Apparel Sector Skill Training for Underserved Women
Women from impoverished backgrounds are identified and training is provided in sewing and tailoring for six months.
over 12 months
PARTNERS
Sarvodaya Integrated Rural Development Society, Koppal | Women’s Organization for Rural Development, Namakkal
LOCATIONS
Karnataka | Tamil Nadu
Apparel Sector Skill Training for Underserved Women
Under this programme, women from impoverished backgrounds are identified and training provided in sewing and tailoring for six months. The trained women are either placed in suitable jobs in the textile industry or encouraged to take up entrepreneurship, either individually or as part of a collective, for which periodic mentorship will be provided.
Skilling Underserved Youth
We have supported several initiatives which provide skill training for young men and women from economically weaker sections of society, enabling them to improve their prospects.
CNC operations in Ahmed Nagar
General Duty Assistants in Amaravati
PARTNER
Pratham Education Foundation, Mumbai
LOCATION
Maharashtra
Skilling Underserved Youth
India has a large population of rural youth, and an important aspect in achieving the country’s development goals is to provide them with employment opportunities. Cognizant Foundation has supported several initiatives which provide skill training for young men and women from economically weaker sections of society, enabling them to improve their prospects.