VIJAYAWADA: Lack of coordination among Government departments and fund crunch have resulted in an abrupt ending of a first-of-its kind programme, which was aimed at fine-tuning soft skills of students and jobseekers.

Career Opportunities on Wheels (COW), a novel concept introduced by the Department of Employment and Training (DET) has come to a screeching halt. As many as 70 youth who attended `spoken English' classes aboard the Machilipatnam-Vijayawada passenger for five months from November last year could not appear for a written examination at the end of their course.

Classes in coaches

The DET, with the help of Acharya Nagarjuna University (ANU) and Vijayawada division of the South Central Railway, launched the project on a pilot basis in the passenger train by converting its last coach into a classroom.

Classes were conducted between 8.10 a.m. and 9.30 a.m. and the youth, who were regular travellers in the route, improved their communication skills in the moving train.They, however, could not appear for the final examination and secure a certificate as the authorities of the ANU, who had given their consent to provide assistance in terms of faculty, study material and presentation of certificates to eligible candidates, dropped out of the project in the middle owing to technical reasons.

Though the decision of the University authorities posed two more challenges - funds to run the programme and faculty support, the DET managed it with the help of the Rotary Club of Vijayawada Central.

"We appointed faculty members by paying remuneration, as the University authorities could not send teachers to take classes. They also asked the students to pay Rs. 1,200 towards examination fee, which is a huge amount for our target group," says V. Himabindu, Regional Employment Officer.

Project cost

She says the department had spent Rs. 25,000 on the free training programme. Apprehension of the railway authorities to allot a special coach for the classes has created some problems to faculty members and the students, but it could not stop them.

"Despite several problems, we have completed the course successfully," Ms. Himabindu says. "When our higher-ups sought to know the feedback, I sent a letter saying the programme can be run successfully if there is proper coordination between the deportments involved in the project and if sufficient funds are allotted by the Government," she adds.

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