(ANS – Rome) – The ANS review of education in Asia will concentrate on India, especially vocational training.

The  “Don Bosco Tech” in India is a network of all the Salesian institutions involved in vocational/technical training. Founded by the Salesians it also includes vocational training centres belonging to other Religious, dioceses, governments and private bodies This national organisation for the development of vocational training was set up in 2006. Having begun as a central team, over the years DBTech’s activities and programmes  have spread throughout India.

The development of talent and training are a priority on the agenda of the Indian Government. The aim is to provide professional training for over 500 million people by 2022. The Prime Minister is introducing many reforms and offering financial support for vocational training programmes.

Bringing together 123 centres of vocational/technical training  DBTech is the major organisation in India in this field especially for less favoured young people. In the last two years (2009-2011) about 17 million euro have been invested in the training for employment of about 60,000 young people.

At national, inter-province and province level there is a great deal of Salesian activity. Today the vocational training centres are found in 25 States. The Salesian network involves 10 Salesian Provinces,  8 dioceses, 13 religious groups and 6 NGO engaged in  the development of vocational/technical training.

In the last ten years the efforts made and the results achieved by the DBTech in managing the network are remarkable. Government, companies and businesses are looking for organisations with national resourses and objectives. In the last two years 80% of the Salesian students have found work at the end of their training; this shows how the Salesian education provided inspires confidence in the companies and businesses  which choose Salesian students. The DBTech also maintains contacts, plans and development with special attention being given to  those social groups which are most in need and are vulnerable. Highly appreciated are the computer workshops and modules and those which prepare for employment.

The DBTech is achieving significant results at national level. Its programmes and courses are seen as pioneering and have inspired similar strategic plans in places where the Salesians are not present. In some places especially where the net work with religious groups dioceses and NGO is functioning, the Salesian charism is taking root.

In September there will be the National Education Conference for Don Bosco Schools
Open to the Principals of the 220 schools in India. At the end a new executive committee will be elected to be part of the Association “All India Don Bosco Educational Society (AIDBES)” created 18 years ago. A senior management training programme at national level has been begun and a Directory published of all the Salesian educational centres in India.

Published 27/07/2012