How an NGO is helping Mumbai's underprivileged teens enter the professional world

Updated On: 24 February, 2016 09:15 AM IST | | Preeti Singh

<p>With soft skills and effective mentorship, Mumbai NGO Antarang is helping fill the gap for Mumbai teenagers from less-privileged backgrounds to make a safe transition from education to employment</p>

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NGO Antarang has a two-pronged strategy -- career counselling for 14-18-year-olds, to help them stay in the education system until they are at least 18 years, and an employability skills training programme for the 18-25 year age group.

You might spot Avinash Yelve brewing your coffee at a Starbucks outpost in Mumbai. And as he serves up your cappuccino, he’s soaking in every minute. Why? Yelve dropped out of the education system after grade 12, and worked in a sari shop to earn for his family. After he lost his job, he had to sit at home for a year and a half. When he met the Antarang team in his chawl, they spoke of training for increased employability, and he decided to join their course, with no career goal in mind. Later, when the international coffee house chain hired him, it changed his life. He never imagined that he, with an indifferent education and social background, could have managed a respectable job. Now as he cycles to work every day, Avinash is optimistic about a future filled with possibilities.