Sahayi project to guide job seekers in ST community

The Scheduled Tribes Development Department has decided to launch a project to guide job seekers and students from the community across the state.

According to the officials, the scheme, ‘Sahayi’ will be introduced by the end of September.

“The Scheduled Tribes Development Department has devised a system to groom tribal youngsters through setting up a skill development programme. The Department will mentor them to pursue a career in their areas of interest. The scheme will be launched in every district by the end of September,” Minister for Welfare of Scheduled Tribes and Youth Affairs P K Jayalakshmi told Express.

As part of the project special computer terminals would be set up at the three tribal offices in the district- Kalpetta, Mananthavady and Sulthan Bathery. Officials at the department said that specially trained promoters would be recruited at the centres to help youngsters in keeping themselves updated with job and educational opportunities, filling up forms, applying for courses and jobs etc.

They would also be given instructions to apply for jobs online to the vacancies notified by the Kerala Public Service Commission, Union Public Service Commission, banks and other institutions of public sector. The promoter can be approached to get the details of the courses and jobs via web. He/she would also help them obtain certificates and documents from various offices, and all expenses including the cost of printing would be borne by the department.

Assistance would be provided to those seeking jobs in the private sector as well.

According to the experts, though there are reservations for tribal people in the top educational institutions and key job sectors in the country, owing to lack of technical knowledge they continue to lag behind.

Most of the students discontinue their education after completing 10th Standard as they are ignorant of the facility to apply for Plus One courses online.

Also, not many apply for the jobs reserved by the PSC for tribal people. The department hopes that the new scheme would help the educated young men and women in establishing a successful career and securing employment.