In a unique tripartite initiative, Mumbai’s famed Taj Mahal Hotel, Tata Strive Entrepreneurship Programme and Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) have joined hands to help youth in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh.
The collaboration aims to provide financial, infrastructural and skill support to students for setting up small eateries in their villages, reports IANS.
This programme, along with the support of local governments and forest authorities, is aimed at helping young minds achieve a sustainable livelihood.
The first group of 18 ‘foodpreneurs’ – students, including five women and two tribals from Chhindwara – have been trained for professional certificate courses, and from next year, the Taj Group will train four batches of 20 students each.
Spanning three months, the curriculum has been designed by Taj chefs keeping in mind items which are popular in small-scale restaurants and bakeries, while an experienced chef helps students gain a comprehensive view of different cuisines and intricacies of entrepreneurship.
The classroom training will be followed by two months of on-the-job training, post which the students will be certified by chefs from Taj through a standard practical and theory-based assessment.
Taj has set up a kitchen-cum-bakery in Chhindwara for the programme along with modules on essential financial literacy for running a restaurant with planning and costs.
PV Murthy, Senior Vice President and Global Head-Human Resources, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces in a statement said, “Globally entrepreneurs are not only respected for great ideas, but for their ability to create jobs. At Taj, through such partnerships, we have empowered people with the objective of making them future-ready and self-reliant.”
“Taj Tata Strive Entrepreneurship Programme will encourage rural youth to imbibe necessary skills and partake in entrepreneurship opportunities, creating a sustainable means of livelihood in the villages,” he said.
