The Employability Centre, which began functioning in the city from June 21, is turning out to be a successful venture. The centre was launched at the District Employment Exchange and is controlled by the Kerala Academy for Skill Excellence (KASE). With 600 registrations from Kozhikode since its opening, the centre is a hit amongst youngsters. Twenty students have already been shortlisted for openings, out of which two have already been placed in the jewellery and construction fields. Most of those who are looking forward to register their names at the centre might have a confusion regarding the functions of an Employability Centre and an Employment Exchange. The Employment Exchange only notifies about openings in the government sector, that too based on seniority. Unlike the government Employment Exchange, the Employability Centre aims at streamlining the skills and talents of youngsters who register there, by conducting psychometric tests, aptitude tests and personality development programmes. Moreover, the centre also offers one-on-one counselling for candidates based on the various tests conducted to help make improvements in their field of interest.
Talent management International Academy from Hyderabad has been given the responsibility to train the registered candidates. “By conducting these tests we are trying to make the candidates employable, according to their field of interest” says Jayesh Sebastian, centre head, Employability Centre, Kozhikode. The other highlights of the centre are that those who have completed 18 years of age and passed the SSLC examination, including those who have retired, can register their names at the centre. The centre has also received close to 20 registrations from retired persons, out of which one has already been placed. According to Jayesh, one of the major setbacks of the centre is that many are not aware of the centre and the wide array of possibilities it offers. “ Since there is very little awareness about the centre, we conduct awareness programmes in most of the educational institutions,” he says. The centre is also on the lookout for employer registration. “ An employer registration has been introduced for the first time. Since we are placing the candidates in private firms it is important for us to know about the vacancies in these private firms,”says Jayesh. Nearly 20 private firms from the construction, jewellery, media and IT fields have registered with the centre. Malabar Group, Kinfra, German Motors and Popular Vehicles are some of them. Employer registration costs Rs 1,000. Candidates can make a life-time registration by paying Rs 250 at www.yescentre.in/kerala, or can directly visit the office located at the Employment Exchange office at the Civil Station or can contact the office at 0495- 2370178 for more details.