Canon India Invests in Youth Skill Development with New Centres

New Delhi: Canon Inc., headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a global leader in imaging technologies. Established in 1937 as Precision Optical Industry, Co., Ltd., Canon has diversified into a wide range of products, including cameras, printers, medical systems, and industrial equipment. With a global workforce of approximately 169,000 and operations in Japan, the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Oceania, Canon reported consolidated net sales of $29.44 billion for fiscal 2023. Canon India Pvt. Ltd., the company’s sales and marketing subsidiary, offers a comprehensive range of digital imaging products and services across India, with extensive retail and service networks.

Canon India has launched two new Skill Centres in Kapashera, Delhi, and Andheri East, Mumbai, as part of its CSR efforts to empower communities. Aligned with the Skill India mission, these centres aim to uplift youth aged 18-25 from urban slums, offering essential life and employability skills to prepare them for customer-centric, grey-collar jobs. The program targets over 2,500 individuals from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET). It offers training in high-demand sectors like BFSI, Retail, IT/ITeS, E-commerce, and Quick Service Restaurants, aiming for a minimum average salary of INR 12,500.

Mr. Toshiaki Nomura, President & CEO of Canon India, said,“India’s young population can contribute immensely to nation building and we at Canon India are committed to nurturing this potential through necessary support and resources. ‘Empowerment’ is a critical pillar in our CSR policy, through which we have already impacted thousands of lives in our Adopted Villages. The establishment of new skill centres is a step towards providing market relevant skills and meaningful opportunities that benefit the youth in building successful careers and contributing to the country’s economy. This initiative is more than just training; it’s about instilling hope, confidence, and the ability to dream bigger. This program represents Canon India’s broader mission to drive sustainable development and empower individuals to achieve their fullest potential.”

Mr. C Sukumaran, Senior Director, Product & Communication at Canon India, added, “At Canon India, we are deeply committed to the holistic and sustainable development of the community. Building on our impactful initiatives in Education, Empowerment, Environment and Eye Care, we are proud to introduce a new pillar in our CSR journey through skill centres that are aimed at empowering the burgeoning youth of India. Through the Skill Development & Livelihood Program, we aim to not only equip individuals with the skills needed for today’s job market but also support their path to employment, financial independence, and higher family income. Canon India aims for 70% of the trained individuals to secure job placements post-training, enhancing their employability in multiple sectors.”

The initiative not only aims to provide steady income to boost family earnings by double but also strives to make a real difference in the communities by creating sustainable livelihood opportunities. More importantly, the youth will further become ambassadors of change and inspire others in their community.