TORCH: Tribal Employment Outreach for Remote Communities in Erode

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Project Details

Category: Employment
Project Title: TORCH (Tribal Employment Outreach Centre)
Department or District: District Employment and Career Guidance Centre, Erode
State: Tamil Nadu
Start Date of the Project: 24th July 2021
Website: https://tnvelaivaaippu.gov.in/contact_decgc.html

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Tribe(s) that the Project Covers: The project primarily covers the tribal populations residing in the hilly and remote regions of Thalavadi, Kadambur, and Burgur in Erode District, Tamil Nadu. These areas are largely inhabited by Scheduled Tribes with distinct socioeconomic and cultural characteristics.

Keywords: TORCH, Tribal Employment, Competitive Exams, Coaching, Skill Development, Tribal Youth, Tribal Outreach, Capacity Building, Free Education, Rural Development, ST/SC Welfare

TORCH (Tribal Employment Outreach Centre) is an innovative outreach initiative launched by the District Employment and Career Guidance Centre in Erode, Tamil Nadu. The initiative specifically aims to tackle the challenges of unemployment and lack of accessibility to skill development among tribal youth residing in remote hill areas. The project was conceptualized and executed to provide coaching for competitive examinations free of cost to tribal youth in remote villages of Thalavadi and Kadambur, significantly enhancing their employability and self-reliance.

The Project

TORCH was initiated with the objective of creating accessible, quality, and free educational support for unemployed tribal youth. By establishing coaching centres within tribal localities, the project removed the key barrier of geographical isolation. Furthermore, it provided a holistic training ecosystem including study materials, library access, and faculty engagement. The programme was complemented by job fairs and online learning interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring continuity in capacity building.

Problems that it Intends to Solve

The project targeted four primary issues. Firstly, it aimed to address the high level of unemployment among tribal youth living in remote and economically backward hill areas. Secondly, it responded to the challenge of inadequate access to affordable coaching and transportation facilities required to attend competitive exam preparation in urban centres. Thirdly, it sought to reduce systemic poverty by creating meaningful livelihood opportunities through education and skill-building. Finally, the project attempted to improve social indicators by tackling the indirect consequences of poverty such as child marriage and teenage pregnancy.

What was the Need

The demand for a project like TORCH emerged from the chronic neglect of tribal areas in mainstream employment and education initiatives. Despite having a population of over 95,000 in the identified hill regions, these communities lacked basic infrastructural and institutional support for education and employment. As a result, tribal youth remained excluded from public sector employment and other upward mobility opportunities.

What Hindered its Introduction

Multiple structural and logistical challenges initially hampered the project’s introduction. The most significant barrier was the lack of physical accessibility to remote tribal belts in Erode. These areas were also characterized by limited engagement from administrative institutions and low trust levels between the tribal communities and state mechanisms. Furthermore, setting up infrastructure such as libraries, coaching centres, and faculty accommodation posed difficulties in the context of poor connectivity and limited resources.

Process Followed for Implementation

The implementation process was multi-phased and began with awareness and mobilisation. Candidates were reached through pamphlets, press releases, and social media campaigns, especially via WhatsApp and Facebook. Direct engagement with tribal households helped in building rapport and credibility. The project was inaugurated at the district level by the District Collector and Minister, lending institutional weight to the initiative. Coaching centres were then equipped with over 500 books, library furniture, computers, and internet access. The project ensured the presence of qualified faculty and provision of printed as well as digital learning resources. The use of e-learning platforms became crucial during the pandemic, ensuring uninterrupted learning.

• Government Involvement
  • The project was spearheaded by the District Employment and Career Guidance Centre, with strong support from the District Collector and other administrative units. Convergence with other departments such as Rural Development and the Illam Thedi Kalvi programme was integral to its success.
• Involvement of Community
  • The tribal community was actively involved in the project. Their cooperation was critical for mobilising candidates and ensuring consistent participation. Tribal youths themselves became the drivers of awareness, further encouraging peers to enrol.

Solutions Implemented

Key solutions included the establishment of TORCH centres in remote tribal areas, organisation of job fairs tailored to local skills and aspirations, use of online education during COVID-19, and convergence with existing schemes. Free coaching ensured financial barriers were removed, and library resources facilitated comprehensive preparation.

Details of the Coverage

The TORCH project currently covers tribal youth in 20 revenue villages across Thalavadi, Kadambur, and Burgur. These areas, with a combined tribal population of 95,000 as per the 2011 Census, form the core beneficiary group. Seventy-five students are currently enrolled and undergoing coaching in the two centres at Thalavadi and Kadambur.

Innovation and Unique Features

TORCH is the first initiative of its kind in Tamil Nadu and has introduced several innovative strategies. Notable features include: last-mile delivery of employment services, free exam coaching within tribal hamlets, use of e-learning, integration with other government schemes, and establishment of a well-resourced local library. These measures are novel in the context of tribal empowerment and decentralised employment services.

• New Approaches: Tech integration, capacity building, culturally sensitive methods
  • The project leveraged online platforms during COVID-19, adopted participatory approaches in mobilising tribal youth, and addressed cultural barriers through local engagement. Capacity-building initiatives included professional coaching and study support, with attention to gender sensitivity and dropout prevention.
• Co-creation: How tribal knowledge or leadership shaped the solution
  • While not explicitly stated, the project succeeded due to its collaborative approach, wherein tribal youth and elders contributed to shaping outreach and retention strategies. Their inputs helped design class schedules, transportation plans, and curriculum delivery modes that suited local lifestyles.
• Any adaptations: How the project evolved during implementation
  • The project demonstrated flexibility by integrating online learning during the pandemic. It also expanded from just coaching to conducting job fairs and exploring skill development possibilities, showcasing its adaptability.

Challenges Faced

• Access to remote tribal belts was a major issue. Initial distrust among communities and lack of prior outreach made mobilisation difficult. Availability of qualified faculty and logistics like books, computers, and accommodation added further hurdles.
• During execution, challenges included sustaining attendance, maintaining infrastructure in remote areas, and ensuring consistent quality of coaching. External factors such as weather, network issues, and social barriers like early marriage also posed difficulties.
• These were addressed through community-level engagement, administrative coordination, and flexibility in delivery models. Use of digital tools, targeted awareness campaigns, and convergence with welfare schemes were instrumental in overcoming these hurdles.

Outcomes

• Quantitative
  • The project has directly benefited 75 tribal youths currently undergoing coaching. It has significantly reduced the need for expensive private coaching and travel. Participation in job fairs has improved job placements among local youth.
• Qualitative
  • Social empowerment is a key qualitative outcome. Aspirations for education and employment have risen. Indirectly, the project is helping reduce child marriage and early pregnancy, and fostering better educational performance in schools by providing visible role models.
• Monitoring and Evaluation
  • Monitoring is done at the district level by the Employment Centre, with regular feedback mechanisms in place. The number of enrolled students, participation in coaching, and performance in competitive exams are tracked periodically.

Beneficiaries

Primary beneficiaries are educated, unemployed tribal youth in Thalavadi, Kadambur, and Burgur. Secondary beneficiaries include families who gain from improved income and social mobility.

Replicability / Scalability / Sustainability

TORCH has high potential for replication across all tribal regions in Erode and beyond. The state-level expansion is under consideration. Its low-cost, community-integrated model makes it scalable and adaptable.

• Policy Integration
  • The project aligns with national goals on tribal development and skill-building. It can be integrated into larger employment missions and tribal welfare policies.
• Financial Sustainability
  • With a proposed expansion budget of ₹15 lakh, the project remains financially viable. Continued convergence with other schemes and stakeholder partnerships can ensure its long-term sustainability.
• Replication
  • Plans are in place to replicate the TORCH model in other tribal and hilly areas across Erode district. This includes not only coaching but the introduction of skill training modules tailored to local employment contexts.

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