National Convention of Don Bosco Tech India

The members of the National Convention met together at Citadel, the Chennai Provicial House 9.00 am on 25th May, 2008. The large number of Salesians from all Indian Provinces was very encouraging for the network.

Wishes and Messages
The messages from the Regional as well as from the Provincials were expressions of happiness about the network as well as reflections on how this effort needs to consolidate on results for the young people of the country. Fr. Noel Maddichetty the Provincial of Hyderabad who is the provincial delegate from the SPCSA for the network addressed the gathering. The message from the Regional namely Fr. Maria Arokiam was read to the members. He urged in his message that we not only strive for visibility but begin to impact the policies on vocational education in the country. Fr. Stanislaus the Provincial of Chennai in his address challenged the network to take risks in taking forward the agenda of skill training for the marginalized `against all odds`.

Presentations and Sharing
The main presentation to the network was from Dr. Basak who gave a very informative and interesting talk on the topic ``Development of Indian Youth through Vocational & Skill Education --Present Status, Future Challenges and Critical Gaps``. The members not only had a realistic look at the scenario of vocational education but also reflective moments taking experiences and dreams of Don Bosco for the youth of his time.

Mr. Lourdes Baptista shared with the members the Current trends in partnership with Industries for Skill Training. He did bring to light the many existing and possible areas of partnerships with also the concerns centred around areas such as:

• Capacity Development of the Institute
• Training Aspects Being Guaranteed
• Salary levels at time of absorption
• Employment Status - Contractual, Welfare, etc.
• Institutional Status in relation to Corporate entities

Fr. Corlis (INB) from Chinchward shared his experiences in the light of many new initiatives taken towards skill training especially for the marginalised. He narrated the success with corporate partnerships for the benefit of this target group. He also invited all centres to make use of their facilities so that the young person from any province in need of good training and livelihood could be given opportunities.

Fr. Kollashany George, on behalf of YAR India addressed the group and shared the possible and needed areas of networking and working together with the various networks of the Salesians in India. He expressed happiness at the network and it achievements in these years. He wished that more salesian networks in the country come together so that there could be a difference in the quality of service delivery to the youth.

Fr. Antree Kannampuzha (INK) shared about how he has achieved certification from the Indian institute of welding which is the Authorised National Body of the International Institute of Welding. Now he is authorised to certify welders that enable them to access the lucrative job market. He also passed on information on this possibility to the members.

Don Bosco Tech India Project
Fr. A M Jose, explained to the members the national project of the network that has recently been approved for funding from dmos comide. He invited all provincial level resource centres to strive to achieve the project objectives to the full. During this discussion, there was a proposal that the project could be officially named ``National Network for Skill Training``.

Election to the Core Team
As per the procedures decided by the members, the group elected the new Core Group for the network. There was sufficient thought given to issues related to continuity, stability of the network as well as representation from Development Offices and from members. After the process we have the following persons in the Core Team namely, Fr. Adolph Furtado, Fr. A M Jose, Bro. Cyriac Kurias, Fr. Benny Alex, Fr. Jeffrey Gladstone, Fr. Savio Silveira and Fr. George Mathew.

Concluding Session
Fr. Noel the provincial gave the concluding address in which he emphasised the following points:

• We have progressed as a network and credit goes to the members and the leading team. But we need to look more at the possibilities ahead that we now begin to see.
• The network need to go beyond few success experiences to capitalising on these experiences towards replication.
• The partnerships with corporate bodies are surely good but we should not in the bargain lose sight of our target group. We can at the same time learn from the systems and style of functioning of the corporate partners in management and achievement of results
• We are in a good position that as the congregation is thinking and talking about networking, we have already achieved this in Don Bosco Tech India.
• We need to explore the possibility to reach out in a big way to our past pupils and use this as a leverage especially for job placements.
• The proposed actions such as youth survey can give scientific temper to our work and the network can offer this to the congregation in India.
• We must ensure that skill training should lead to livelihood and sustainability for the youth.
• The network also needs to look seriously at research and development. Resources of personnel and funds must be set aside towards this all important activity for growth and being relevant.
• The world today looks for `good people` and taking inspiration from Don Bosco who believed and strived to create `honest citizens and good Christians` out of youth, we need to give to the world ``good and value based`` work force.
• We pride in a name - that of Don Bosco. So a Don Bosco boy/youth should have character that gives him a special identity in the world.
• We need to move from a `maintenance mode` to a `mission mode` in our skill training programmes. For this we need a passion towards this mission as we are convinced, focussed and networked. This can make an impact in the neighbourhood.
• We need to move from a `maintenance mode` to a `mission mode` in our skill training programmes. For this we need a passion towards this mission as we are convinced, focussed and networked. This can make an impact in the neighbourhood.

Fr. Jose Palely expressed the vote of thanks after which the members departed with a renewed spirit of togetherness and purpose. The Core group in the meantime decided to sit together to plan ahead for the coming year.