Youth4Jobs Foundation

Youth Connect WISE is the flagship programme of Youth4Jobs, aimed at empowering rural youth with disabilities and limited education. The programme operates across all states and Union Territories in India and offers various modes of training, including online, offline, hybrid, and self-paced learning. Participants have the flexibility to choose the duration of their training, ranging from 3 days to 60 days, with varying hours per day. The training covers subjects such as 21st-century skills, basic English, life skills, soft skills, basic math, basic computers, financial literacy etc. The selection criteria include individuals with disabilities who are at least 18 years old and have a minimum 10th-grade education. The training streams focus on linking participants with either job opportunities or micro-enterprises, providing them with the necessary skills and support to succeed in their chosen field.

The Village Connect programme plays a crucial role in changing attitudes and mindsets about disability in rural communities. Through a combination of technology and grassroots efforts, it reaches out to village opinion leaders and utilizes various mediums to mobilize the community. This leads to increased enrollment in Y4J training centres, where youth with disabilities receive market-linked skills and job opportunities. The success of Y4J alumni in organised sector jobs serves as inspiration and encourages parents to invest in the education and employability of their children with disabilities, resulting in systemic changes.

The College Connect programme provides job-ready skills and connects candidates with employers. It offers domain-specific training through partnerships with industry and educational institutions. The Y4J IT Academy provides specialized training in web development, coding, SQL, and microservices for youth with disabilities. The Y4J Banking Academy offers finance and accounting training in collaboration with private multinational banks such as HSBC and JP Morgan. The Y4J 21st Century Skills Academy focuses on improving employability by providing training in business English communication, soft skills, quantitative and reasoning skills. The Y4J Smart Inclusion Center provides access to digital content, training, industry interaction, and placement support for students. Educators receive training on disability inclusion and the use of assistive tools. The centres work to sensitize employers about disability inclusion and identify disability-friendly organisations for job opportunities.

Under this programme, Youth4Jobs has adopted two Government schools in Hyderabad to develop English language, digital literacy and other skills in the students through a tailored and holistic approach.

Not Just Art is a digital platform that promotes the work of visual artists with disabilities and supports them. It brings forth the artistic work of PwDs to a global audience.