BHUBANESWAR: Cab aggregator OLA on Friday signed an agreement with Commerce and Transport Department at the Make In Odisha Conclave under which 2,500 youths would be trained at the Driving Training Institute (DTI) of the State Government at Chhatia.
These youths, who would undergo one-month training in a batch of 200, would have the option of joining OLA under its contract or be self-employed.
The training would be funded by Odisha Skill Development Authority but OLA would chip in with vehicles for the purpose, if necessary. The cab aggregator has taken the skill project on a pilot basis for a year during which the 2500 youths would be trained to be self-employed.
In fact, OLA which has been seeking to induct more drivers in its workforce is looking for at least 10,000 drivers from Odisha.
On Friday, when the MoU was signed between Principal Secretary Sanjay Rastogi and COO OLA Cabs Pranay Jivrajka, eight youths were inducted by the company right away.
Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Skill Development and Technical Education Department Sanjay Singh said two new initiatives, Teach In Odisha and Angel Funding, have also been planned. Under Teach In Odisha, fellows would be identified under a fellowship programme who would help improve teaching in the ITIs. Utkal University will mentor the programme.
The Angel Funding programme of National Skill Development Corporation would make its debut in the State.