Vedanta Lanjigarh sets benchmark in grassroots skilling with 92pc placement in first F&B training batch

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

LANJIGARH, AUGUST 2, 2025

In a significant milestone for grassroots skill development, Vedanta Aluminium — India’s largest producer of aluminium — has successfully completed the first batch of its food & beverage (F&B) training program at its Lanjigarh Skills Training Centre, securing an outstanding 92 per cent job placement rate. The initiative, focused on empowering local youth in Odisha’s Kalahandi district, is a key component of Vedanta’s community development strategy and its vision for sustainable growth through inclusive participation.

The program goes beyond just skill development, integrating digital empowerment as a core component. All trainees from the first batch completed 40 hours of IT literacy training, with nearly 90% of them encountering digital education for the first time. This marks a critical step in preparing rural youth for an increasingly digitized workforce.

Highlighting the significance of the achievement, Pranab Kumar Bhattacharyya – CEO, Vedanta Alumina Business, said: “At Vedanta, we view community development as a strategic imperative for sustainable growth. When youth are equipped with the right skills and exposure, it sparks a chain reaction of progress — for families, communities, and the local economy. This outstanding placement milestone reflects what’s possible when industry and community participation come together. We remain deeply committed to enabling the aspirations of Kalahandi’s youth through focused, outcome-driven skill development programs.”

Maheshwar Das, District Development Manager, NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture & Rural Development), commended the initiative, saying:  “Initiatives like these are powerful enablers of transformation. They bridge the gap between rural potential and mainstream opportunities. Vedanta’s efforts in creating sustainable livelihood pathways for local youth are truly commendable. We look forward to deepening this partnership to drive holistic, grassroots-led development across the region.”

Vedanta’s Skill Training Centre in Lanjigarh operates in collaboration with the Odisha Skill Development Authority (OSDA) and NABARD, guided by a comprehensive framework that not only provides training but also opens up entrepreneurial and employment avenues. Over the span of three years, the program aims to skill over 1200 rural youth. To date, 701 youth have already been trained under this initiative, many of whom have transitioned into meaningful employment, significantly boosting their family incomes and integrating them into the socio-economic mainstream.

The program is strategically aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — specifically SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). It also resonates with the national vision of Viksit Bharat, reinforcing the pillars of rural employability, skill-building, and entrepreneurship.

By marrying industry-aligned skilling with digital literacy and real-world job opportunities, Vedanta’s training initiative is setting a new benchmark in rural development — unlocking potential, transforming lives, and paving the way for a self-reliant and prosperous Kalahandi.