First nodal employment centre for disabled

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 17

The nodal centre established at Guru Nanak Dev University with collaboration of Pehal Resource Centre to serve as employment exchange and a centre for skill development for intellectually and physically disabled has begun operations. With almost 125 registered candidates under the disabled category, and 50 with intellectual disability being trained at Pehal, the project aims to generate self-employment for the PWDs in district. 

Pehal has already received the first installment of funds under the programme to set up computer labs and initiate self-help groups for skill development. “The self-help groups will work with intellectually challenged students to set up small-scale units, manufacturing furniture and paper bags that will be sold to generate income for them. These groups will comprise parents of the students, volunteers and professionals from the programme,” said Dharminder Gill, Co-ordinator, Pehal Resource Centre. Several NGOs working in the field have also been contacted in this regard. 

The equipment for computer labs has already been ordered and in process of being setting up. “We will also provide degree and diploma courses in computer science and technology for students with physical disability,” said Gill. 

Established under the Centre’s National Career Service Scheme,  initiated by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the nodal centre at the GNDU premises is the third in Punjab and will serve as the region’s only employment exchange for physically and intellectually challenged. Its focus will be on training, skill development, internships and offer vocational training courses in technical and non-technical fields to youth.