by Father Bento D'Souza
NERAL, NOV 23, 2017: Don Bosco Yuva Sanstha, Karjat, launched a technical skill development training programme in three trades, namely tailoring, 
refrigeration, air conditioning (RAC) and electrical trade in the Tribal Ashram shala, Mangaon, Neral on November 16.
Fifty students, including girls from the ninth standard, participated in each of the skill development workshops for skill empowerment. Out of the group, 15 students took the course on electrical trades, 17 students participated in RAC training, while 18 students were groomed in tailoring.
The classes that stretched for two hours each, began on November 16. The technical courses are slated to end on the January 31, 2018, on the feast of Don Bosco.
Ganesh Bhopi and Sandeep Gaikwad gave an introductory lecture and orientation session for the students of the technical courses. Kavita More trained the youth in stitching and tailoring. Classes for these skill sets were held for two hours each on Thursday and Friday, while four hours on Saturday and Sunday. Extra classes are held, if required.
The Director, Dada Gaikwad, said, "If any student fails in their SCC examination, these technical skills will help students procure an economic livelihood and job security, thus not hampering their career prospects and capacity to survive. They will also have survival skills in hand when they leave the Tribal Ashram school."