Mumbai: The Bajaj Group will provide funds of Rs  5,000 crores for social welfare activities during the next five years, under its new division +Bajaj Beyond+ that was launched here recently for corporate social responsibility (CSR) and philanthropic programmes.

Shekhar Bajaj, Chairman and Managing Director, Bajaj Electricals Ltd, said that while the focus will be on skill development, this amount will benefit over 2 crore youth in future by empowering them to take advantage of the employment and industry opportunities that India’s growing economy will provide.  

“This mission involves graduates from small town families being trained and equipped to realize their full potential, while considering all aspects of employability – attitude, skills and knowledge,” said Neeraj Bajaj, Chairman, Bajaj Auto Ltd.

 “While preparing them for a successful career by bridging the skill gap, we are also building a large pool of well-rounded skilled manpower that will comprehensively propel India’s success story and strengthen our economy to compete globally,” he said.

Describing the launching of Bajaj Engineering Skills Training (BEST) last year as “an important experience for us,” Rajeev Bajaj, Managing Director, Bajaj Auto Ltd, said that the Group “saw a clear picture of the gap” between written education and the skills required by the manufacturing industry.

“The insights gained through this were used as the cornerstones for building the foundation and, together, we will create futuristic courses, provide real-world, hands-on experience and empower the youth to continue to transform,” he added.

The past 10 years have witnessed the Bajaj Group contributing Rs 4,000 crores towards CSR activities which mostly focused on skills and education, health, livelihoods, water conservation and other areas of development.