The Vocational Rehabiliation Centre (VRC) of Central Training Institute, Guindy, observed the International Disability Day, here on Monday. Welfare assistance was provided to trainees at the centre.
The Vocational Rehabliation Centre for Handicapped, which works under the Directorate General of Employment and Training, Ministry of Labour and Employment, observed Disability Day along with Lions Club of Chennai Greater City. As many as 80 trainees selected from all over the State, who had undergone a one-year training programme in various fields such as photography and maintenance of domestic appliances were given welfare assistance.
Addressing the trainees, S Sivagnanam, director, MSME-DI, who was the chief guest, said, “The differently-abled persons must be treated equally. We must recognise their talent and thereby create employment opportunities for them.”
“Differently-abled persons who had undergone some training are eligible for bank loans,” said G Srinivasan, senior manager, SME, Canara Bank.
He said, “The differently abled candidates will be given loan up to Rs 50, 000 without security and above Rs 50,000 with security. It can be repaid in 36 months.”
Speaking to City Express, P K Cherian, deputy director, VRC, said, “We are providing career guidance and counselling and one-year training in different fields to the selected differently-abled candidates. Then, the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) will provide them training. In September this year, we had conducted a job fair in which around 135 candidates were placed.”
He added, “This is the first VRC in the country that got Rs 6, 000/- for its 76 trainees as stipend for each from the National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation.”