YES Sashakt Kendra: Rajasthan’s Youth Just Got a Game-Changer!

Sagwara, Dungarpur, Rajasthan, October 16, 2026: Young people and women in Rajasthan’s tribal communities are set to gain access to new skill-development and livelihood opportunities with the launch of the first YES Sashakt Kendra in Sagwara, Dungarpur district. The centre has been inaugurated by YES Foundation, the social development arm of YES BANK, as part of its flagship YES Sashakt rural livelihoods initiative.

The initiative aims to strengthen local economic opportunities by providing market-linked vocational training, digital and service-sector skills, financial literacy, career counselling, and entrepreneurship support. It is being implemented in collaboration with BharatCares, with a focus on communities that have traditionally faced barriers to accessing employment and economic opportunities.

A New Opportunity for Rajasthan’s Youth

For many young people in rural and tribal regions, finding suitable employment can be challenging because of limited access to vocational training, career guidance, and professional networks.

YES Sashakt Kendra aims to address some of these challenges by bringing skill-development opportunities closer to local communities. Participants will receive training designed to help them explore employment, develop practical skills, and consider starting their own enterprises.

The programme also includes career guidance and placement support aligned with the skills being taught, helping participants connect their training with potential livelihood opportunities.

What Is YES Sashakt Kendra?

YES Sashakt Kendra forms part of YES Foundation’s Integrated Rural Livelihoods initiative, which seeks to strengthen economic participation and promote sustainable livelihoods.

The centre was inaugurated by Rajasthan’s Tribal Area Development Minister Babulal Kharadi, Sagwara Nagar Palika Chairman Asha Patidar, and Vice Chairman Yogesh Jain, in the presence of YES Foundation CEO Garima Dutt and representatives of partner organisations.

The programme is designed to support both young people and women from marginalised and tribal communities, with training tailored to local economic needs.

Key Benefits of the Initiative

1. Market-Linked Vocational Training

Participants will have access to vocational training intended to build practical, employment-oriented skills. The emphasis on market-linked learning is designed to help trainees develop capabilities relevant to potential job opportunities.

2. Digital and Service-Sector Skills

Digital literacy and service-sector skills can help participants explore a wider range of employment opportunities as businesses increasingly adopt technology and digital processes.

The centre’s training approach aims to prepare participants for changing workplace requirements and emerging livelihood options.

3. Entrepreneurship Support

Not every participant will choose a salaried job. Some may want to establish a small business or develop an independent source of income.

YES Sashakt includes entrepreneurship support intended to help participants explore enterprise creation and other self-employment opportunities.

4. Financial Literacy

Understanding savings, budgeting, credit, and basic financial management can help individuals make informed economic decisions.

The programme includes financial literacy as a key component of its broader livelihood-development approach.

5. Career Counselling and Placement Assistance

Training can be more useful when participants also receive guidance on career choices and potential employment pathways. The centre plans to provide career counselling and placement support connected to the skills imparted through the programme.

A Four-Year Focus on Sustainable Livelihoods

Over the next four years, YES Sashakt plans to focus on four broad areas:

• Farm-based livelihoods: Strengthening opportunities connected to agriculture and allied activities.
• Enterprise development: Supporting small-scale and group-based businesses.
• Employability training: Helping participants develop skills relevant to the job market.
• Financial literacy: Building knowledge that supports better financial decisions.

These areas form part of the initiative’s broader framework of Employability, Entrepreneurship, and Environmental Sustainability.

Why This Initiative Matters for Rural Rajasthan

Skill development can play an important role in expanding economic opportunities, particularly in communities where access to training and professional guidance may be limited.

By combining vocational education with entrepreneurship support and financial literacy, YES Sashakt seeks to address several aspects of livelihood development rather than focusing exclusively on job training.

For local communities, the programme’s potential impact will depend on the relevance of the courses, participation levels, employer connections, and the number of trainees who are ultimately able to secure employment or establish sustainable businesses.

What Comes Next?

The launch of the first YES Sashakt Kendra marks a new step in YES Foundation’s rural livelihood efforts in Rajasthan. Its progress will be measured not only by the number of people trained but also by the opportunities participants gain after completing their courses.

Employment outcomes, new enterprises, income improvements, and sustained participation by women and tribal communities will be important indicators of the programme’s effectiveness.

Conclusion

YES Sashakt Kendra brings vocational training, career guidance, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship support into one initiative aimed at strengthening rural livelihoods. For Rajasthan’s young people and women, it offers a platform to build practical skills and explore new economic possibilities.

If the programme successfully connects training with local demand and sustainable employment, it could become a useful model for expanding livelihood opportunities in underserved communities.