BD India and HOPE Foundation Celebrate Eight Years of Youth Skill Development, Felicitate 264 Graduates

To commemorate the milestone, BD India and the HOPE Foundation organised a graduation ceremony honouring 264 students who successfully completed two skill-based courses, Nursing Assistant and Tally. The graduates were presented with certificates and trophies in recognition of their dedication and achievements.

The programme is part of BD India/South Asia’s broader Corporate Social Responsibility efforts spanning education, healthcare and environmental sustainability. Through its collaboration with the HOPE Foundation, the company has been providing training in Tally operating computer skills and Nursing Assistant courses to help young people secure sustainable livelihoods.

During the ceremony, Atul Grover, Managing Director, BD India/South Asia, and KS. Wungchipem (Apem), Director Skill Development North and East India, HOPE Foundation, participated in celebrating the achievements of the students.

BD and the HOPE Foundation have also announced the continuation of the partnership for the ninth consecutive year. Under the expanded programme, 320 youth will be trained in Nursing Assistant and Tally courses, along with the introduction of a new Advanced Excel and SQL course aimed at widening employment opportunities.

Speaking on the occasion, Atul Grover, Managing Director, BD India/South Asia, said the company was proud of its collaboration with a like-minded partner in empowering young people through skill development and enabling sustainable livelihoods. He said witnessing the journeys of the graduates and hearing their experiences highlighted the programme’s role in improving employability and confidence. He added that, as a global corporate social citizen, BD remains committed to creating a better future for young people while advancing together.

KS. Wungchipem (Apem), Director Skill Development North and East India, HOPE Foundation, said the partnership with BD has played a crucial role in empowering youth through skill-based training in Nursing Assistant and Tally. He said the collaboration has enhanced employability and opened avenues for sustainable livelihoods by providing practical skills, industry exposure and confidence required to secure meaningful jobs. He stated that over the eight years of the partnership, more than 2,200 youth have been trained and over 1,750 have secured employment.

The Project HOPE initiative conducts Nursing Assistant and Tally training courses simultaneously, with each programme spanning three months. Eligibility for the free courses requires candidates to possess a Class 10 pass certificate and demonstrate economic need. Participants are also trained in basic English-speaking abilities and life skills, while practical sessions are incorporated into both courses. Students enrolled in the Nursing Assistant programme undergo an additional six months of on-the-job training at reputed public and private hospitals.

Since its launch in 2018, the initiative has trained more than 2,200 students belonging to low-income communities and has enabled employment for more than 80 per cent of beneficiaries, the majority of whom are women.

BD is one of the world's largest medical technology companies and continues to advance healthcare through improvements in medical discovery, diagnostics and care delivery. The company works with customers to enhance outcomes, reduce costs, improve efficiency, strengthen safety and expand access to healthcare. The eight-year partnership with the HOPE Foundation stands as a significant example of how sustained corporate collaboration can transform lives by creating pathways to education, employment and long-term economic independence.