Bhogapuram, Andhra Pradesh: The GMR Varalakshmi Foundation (GMRVF) has inaugurated a skill development centre in Bhogapuram with a capacity to train up to 1,000 youth annually for jobs in India and overseas.
The centre was inaugurated by spiritual leader and Art of Living Foundation founder Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, who interacted with trainees and staff during his visit.
The facility has six classrooms, an IT laboratory, library, seminar hall, mess and dining facilities, and hands-on training workshops. It will combine classroom-based learning with practical training aimed at preparing young people for industry and employment opportunities.
The centre also has a dedicated International Placements Wing to support employment opportunities for trained youth in India and overseas. GMRVF said it will work with industry partners to align its training programmes with employment requirements.
The initiative is part of GMRVF’s community development programmes around Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport, being developed at Bhogapuram by GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited (GVIAL).
During his visit to Bhogapuram, Ravi Shankar also visited the airport, where GMR Group chairman G.M. Rao briefed him on the project’s development, infrastructure and plans.
Ravi Shankar said the airport could contribute to the growth of North Coastal Andhra Pradesh by creating opportunities in tourism, trade, investment, employment and entrepreneurship.
“The airport has the potential to become a powerful catalyst for the growth of North Andhra, creating greater opportunities in tourism, trade, investment, employment and entrepreneurship,” he said.
GMRVF CEO Ashwini Saxena said the skill centre was established to ensure that economic activity generated by the airport also creates opportunities for local communities.
“With the capacity to train 1,000 youth annually, industry partnerships and a dedicated International Placements Wing, the Centre will provide young people from remote and underserved communities with the skills, exposure and pathways needed to pursue sustainable livelihoods in India and overseas,” Saxena said.
GMRVF said its CSR interventions in Bhogapuram began alongside construction of the airport, with initiatives focused on health, wellbeing and livelihoods. It has also started a Mobile Medical Unit to provide healthcare services to communities in and around Bhogapuram.
The skill development centre is expected to support local youth seeking employment opportunities emerging from the airport and the wider economic activity expected around the aviation project.
