By Ms Lolita Mendonca for BIS Mumbai
On October 9, Don Bosco Matunga hosted a capacitation program under the DB Avsar initiative, focusing on career guidance and job placement strategies for underprivileged youth. The event brought together representatives from five Don Bosco houses committed to the Avsar mission: empowering youth through structured career guidance, skill development training, and job placement support. Staff from Auxilium Skill Academy also participated in the session.
Participating Institutions
The following Don Bosco houses were represented:
Don Bosco Chinchwad, Pune
Don Bosco Nerul, Navi Mumbai
Don Bosco BBH, Borivali, Mumbai
Don Bosco Vishwamitri, Baroda
Don Bosco St. Annes Nagar
The program was led by Fr Gabriel Karunaraj, National Director, Don Bosco Job Placement Network and Fr Joe Anand, Director, Don Bosco Vazikatti, Chennai. The speakers emphasized the importance of holistic youth development, advocating for interventions that address spiritual, physical, social, emotional, and intellectual dimensions. They highlighted that effective career guidance begins with self-awareness—helping young people understand their strengths, interests, and values before exploring suitable career options.
Tools and Techniques
Participants were introduced to psychometric assessments as a means to evaluate individual aptitudes, interests, and personality traits. Sample tests were administered to demonstrate how these tools can inform career decisions and guide youth toward appropriate pathways.
Fr Joe Anand provided practical insights into career mapping and the importance of staying informed about evolving educational and vocational opportunities. His examples underscored the need for career guidance personnel to maintain current knowledge of industry trends and academic routes.
Technology Integration
To support job placement efforts, a national-level web portal and mobile application have been developed by the National team of the Job Placement Network. Participants were guided through the functionalities of these platforms, which are currently undergoing upgrades to enhance security and user experience. Once operational, these tools will serve as key resources for connecting candidates with employment opportunities.
Strategic Planning and Implementation
Each DB Avsar house was encouraged to:
Define its target demographic
Outline the services it intends to offer
Establish networks with recruitment agencies and job seekers
The importance of workplace readiness training was emphasized, along with the need to incorporate financial literacy modules to help youth build secure financial futures from the outset of their careers.
Suggestions to establish DB Avsar
To strengthen outreach and placement efforts, the following activities were recommended:
Organizing annual or biannual job fairs
Conducting regular mini recruitment drives
Hosting employer engagement sessions at DB Avsar offices
The capacitation program marked a significant step forward in aligning DB Avsar’s mission with actionable strategies and collaborative efforts. We extend our best wishes to all participating houses as they continue to empower youth and foster meaningful career opportunities.