Tech Mahindra Foundation

Launched in 2012 with just three centers, the Skills-for-Market Training (SMART) program is Tech Mahindra Foundation's flagship employability initiative. Over the years, it has grown extensively, now offering skill development training across 11 cities in India. The program effectively bridges the gap between industry demand and workforce supply, empowering youth with the skills needed to succeed in both manufacturing and service sectors.

* SMART Academies
Since May 2016, Tech Mahindra Foundation has been operating SMART Academies to provide advanced, long-term courses in specialized vocations. Currently, there are 12 SMART Academies. These vocational training institutes focus on building advanced, industry-specific skills in healthcare, digital technologies, and logistics.

* SMART Centers
SMART Centers aim to equip youth from economically weaker sections of urban communities with employability skills. Beneficiaries receive training through structured programs designed to help them secure dignified and suitable employment.

Tech Mahindra Foundation believes education is a powerful tool for building an empowered and enlightened society, capable of achieving its fullest potential. Through the education program, it is dedicated to fostering key aspects of educational empowerment. These include:

* Teacher Empowerment: Equipping educators with the skills and resources needed to excel.
* Enriching Learning Opportunities: Enhancing the quality of education for children.
* Effective School Governance: Promoting efficient and accountable management of schools.
* Parental Involvement: Encouraging active participation of parents in their children’s primary education journey.

In addition to these programs, it actively engages in initiatives that spark meaningful conversations around education empowerment. One such event is Saajhi Samajh, which provides a platform to discuss and collaborate on innovative approaches to strengthen education systems.

At Tech Mahindra Foundation, empowering Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) is a core focus area, driven by its commitment to fostering inclusion and enabling everyone to Rise. It strives to ensure that PwDs have access to social inclusion and equal employment opportunities, paving the way for a brighter future. This mission is achieved through two flagship disability programs:

* ARISE+: All Round Improvement in School Education for Children with Disabilities, focusing on enhancing educational outcomes.
* SMART+: Skills-for-Market Training for Persons with Disabilities, aimed at equipping them with employable skills for sustainable livelihoods.

The Foundation upholds a mandate that 10% of all its beneficiaries are Persons with Disabilities, reflecting its dedication to creating an equitable and inclusive society.

COVID-19 relief efforts have been relentless, prioritizing support for the most affected groups, including healthcare workers, security personnel, sanitation workers, migrant laborers, farmers, the transgender community, elderly individuals, daily wage earners, and persons with disabilities.

As the second wave of the pandemic surged with greater intensity, the foundation's efforts evolved to address the critical needs of hospitals. It provided essential medical infrastructure such as oxygen cylinders, concentrators, beds, cardiac monitors, and other vital supplies. Additionally, it ramped up training programs to upskill healthcare professionals and frontline workers, ensuring they were equipped to handle the escalating demands of the crisis.