Inside
Mobilization
Time for a makeover? Prakash Das Lead – Mobilization & Placement Pg.9
strive@pune Safety Matters Bhaskar Natarajan Head – Program Execution
The Monthly Newsletter exclusively Published for Pune May 2020 | Year 3 Edition 4-26
International Nurses Day
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Life..POST COVID19 Ameya Vanjari Head – Technology & Innovations
12th May
NURSING THE WORLD TO HEALTH
Pratiksha Kamble narrates how she came all the way to convince herself to work for the patients in these testing time of COVID19.
Pg.4 In Collaboration with
FROM EDITORS DESK Hi! While our Facilitators were involved in engaging with our learners over online sessions, webinars with SMEs and sharing more connects on the go, they have also conducted a series of surveys with our Learners and Employers that has helped us give insight on what impact COVID19 has had on the way of life and other work related facets. Employees from Tata Communications again joined us for Virtual Volunteering sessions with the beneficiaries on various topics including Interview & Communication skills, Teamwork and Professional skills. Learners were enthused with these one to one sessions and now there are going to be more in June. This edition of strive@pune is all loaded with articles from Bhaskar Natarajan, Head Program Execution writing for us on the Safety Matters and you will also get to read the 2nd & concluding session on how the Life is going to be post COVID19 by Ameya Vanjari, (Head Technology & Innovation – Tata STRIVE). Also, read about one more my skill story from another Strivian, Tony Jacob, Member - Facilitator Development team. All this & more in the pages. Don’t miss the story of our Warrior during these COVID19 times. A learner from General Duty Assistant convinced her parents to allow her to stay at the Hospital and work for the care of patients as a Caregiver at Jehangir Hospitals, Pune. I will urge all writers, who wish to contribute to strive@pune should feel free to write. We will really be happy to publish them here. Till then… Stay indoors & keep reading! Sameet Joshi Cluster Manager - West
THINK ABOUT IT
“You're never given a dream without also being given the power to make it true.” Richard Bach 2
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THIS IS HOW WE DO IT
Practical SME Session by Sangita Raut. 11th May 2020 ABT | Makeup
Webinar- Job opportunities post COVID in BFSI Industry by NIRDPR and BFSI SSC 07th May 2020 BDE 0191
Online Review for Live Project 27th May 2020 AAD
SME Session by Pooja Negi. 07th May 2020 ABT | Interview Preparation
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KALAM SE COLUMN TAK LIFE POST COVID – (Episode II) We at Tata STRIVE: rethinking delivery models We equip our learners with the right skills, we prepare for the workplace and the career ahead. Not all the skills and learnings we aim for can be delivered effectively through a ‘digital-only’ intervention. However, we can no longer stay with a model where every minute of learning is instructor-led, in-classroom. We must adopt a blend of digital-remote and in-classroom delivery, a blend of self-learning and instructor-led learning. We have been using technology for assessments at our centres, for mobilization, for learners going through Dhangyan, or HelloEngflish or Ameya Vanjari EnGuru etc. From being an add-on in most courses we offer within Head – Technology & Innovation, Tata STRIVE Tata STRIVE, delivery through digital means will be a significant part of our model. During the lockdown, we are already seeing and will continue to see an increased remote delivery of learning using An example of technology. Be it video sessions, or self-learning material being changes we could consumed, assignments and assessments being done remotely. start experimenting: But the change is not just moving from classroom-based delivery to Can experts interact with remote/online/video-based delivery. We need to rethink and evolve more learners than just our pedagogies, our content, our courses. The STRIVE way includes a their batch blend of activity-based learning, project-based learning, learning from simultaneously? Can we repeated practice, learning from peers – all facilitated by our have a team of facilitators magicians in a classroom setting. who collectively manage Each of these will need a rethink, a redesign for the blended models in all topics for a course? the new normal. E.g. for Android development if we had 3 facilitators, while the base topics should be known to all three, could they distribute topics like application security, digital marketing of apps, earning-throughfreelancing among themselves, each knowing these in greater depth. These could be offered as add on courses for our alumni too.
The other mindset shift which is prevalent is the acceptance of remote working. Work from home is a more accepted practice, and this acceptance will increase. Some organizations are using it to create new models and benefit from it. We have an opportunity too. The other change we must be cognizant about is the newer guidelines for workplace health and safety which will soon emerge as lockdown eases. While some guidelines will be procedural – e.g. a visitor declaring trips to states/countries outside, others will have a wider impact – e.g. physical distance of 6 feet between 2 individuals at work. The guidelines could have an impact on our classroom capacity, our workplace seating. The combination of the new workspace guidelines, acceptance of digital remote delivery, acceptance of remote working collectively are pushing us to redesign and implement newer models to maximise impact quickly. 4
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Communities we serve and our learners In the immediate term as lockdown eases, the efforts needed to mobilize learners will be significantly more than in the past. New learners, their parents will be apprehensive to visit centres and enrol. They will demand local opportunities. Safety will be a key consideration for the learners and their families. We need to address these expectations and concerns. This will need our centres to offer courses which cater to local opportunities, demonstration of safety standards in our centers and a blended model needing lesser time to be spent in centres. On the other hand, alumni connect and support to those facing challenges given the pandemic will be critical to retain or even enhance trust levels we enjoy in most places.
Closing thoughts While the changes mentioned above will need a concerted effort across the organization, each of us can do a few things to contribute positively towards this.
First and foremost is learning new skills. We need to invest time in doing courses – many costly learning spaces are offering opportunities at a lower cost or free. Make most of this opportunity. Maintain and deepen the connection with your learners, your alumni, your community and partners you work with to learn more about the changes seeping in. Many of you are involved in changes being experimented. Be it video-based delivery, or projects or remote assessments. Capture and share your insight and learning. And like always, if you have an idea – be it a new course, or model or experiment, please pen down your thoughts and share.
All these will go a long way in shaping a Brighter Life @ Tata STRIVE post COVID-19!
PICK OF THE MONTH
YOGA 2.0
WORD OF THE DAY
TALENT HUNT
DIGITAL SUPERSTAR 5
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ON THE OTHER HAND Safety Matters What is Safety? When I look into the roots (Etymology) of the word ‘Safety’ (Source: https://www.etymonline.com/word/safe) – it is from Old French sauf which meant, "protected, watched-over; assured of salvation," Old French sauvete "safety, safeguard; salvation; security, surety," Latin salvus which meant, "uninjured, in good health, safe," related to salus "good health," Bhaskar Natarajan Head – Program Execution Tata STRIVE
Dictionary defines it as “The condition of being protected from or unlikely to cause danger, risk, or injury, denoting something designed to prevent injury or damage.” In Tata STRIVE, it means #STRIVESENSE – Safe (Physical, Psychological & Emotional), Empowering, Nurturing, Sensitive Environment! One may ask, I can understanding the Physical Safety – I can be away from harm by protecting my loved ones and myself by being cautious towards things I see in the physical world - but how about Psychological and Emotional Safety?
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On the other hand…Contd. Psychological Safety – What, How and Why it matters? WHO states on its website that ‘The current COVID-19 outbreak has provoked social stigma and discriminatory behaviours against people of certain ethnic backgrounds as well as anyone perceived to have been in contact with the virus. Social stigma in the context of health is the negative association between a person or group of people who share certain characteristics and a specific disease. In an outbreak, this may mean people are labelled, stereotyped, discriminated against, treated separately, and/or experience loss of status because of a perceived link with a disease.” The answer lies in the Pledge we all took #STRIVESENSE – How do I make it accessible to me and all around me? Empowering – When you ‘hear’ someone talk as if they don’t have choice, you may ask them a couple of questions to ‘Reframe’ their view point and ensure they feel Safe as they have more choices than they imagined earlier. For e.g. When you hear someone say, “I’m bored and fed up with ‘Working from Home’, look forward to ‘Getting back to office’ at the earliest.” – You could ask, “What do you enjoy the most, working from home?” or “What would you miss the most when you stop working from home?” or “What would NOT happen when you start working from office?” or “What positive aspects of work from home you are appreciative of and grateful for?” – this would open up the possibilities of things that are essential and not apparent in the first place, this would give more choices and result in feeling ‘Empowered’
Psychological SafetyWhat, How and Why it matters?
Nurturing – A simple ‘Stand up’ meeting periodically, just to ‘check-in’ the well-being of each other (no work-related talk) would help you and your team to develop a nurturing connect Sensitive – Deeply access and practice ‘Empathy’ while dealing with ‘Connectivity issues’; ‘Delay in submissions’; ‘Communication gaps’ etc. Ask the person, if they were in your position, what would S/He do? Same applies to us too! Listen with the intent of ‘Understanding the other person’s point of view’ before sharing yours. Let us make our Workplace ‘A Safe Place for all of us’ – where we believe ‘Safety Matters’ More when we meet again.. #StaySafe
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COVER TRAIL The story of a Corona Warrior Pratiksha Kamble, a learner of General Duty assistant0030 is currently working as a General duty assistant at ‘Jehangir hospital’, Pune. She says, My story to fight against COVID19 started with just a few patients admitted to the hospital. I was posted in various departments. Where I had given care to COVID patients handling responsibilities such as bed making, bed bath, patient shifting etc. Yes, for me it was challenging to understand its worldwide effect and provide care at times with limited PPE (Personal protecting equipment) kits. Due to excessive workload soon the management shifted me to another ward. Where I started working with non-COVID patients. What challenges I had to face during this period: Although I’m based out of Pune, during this pandemic situation it was difficult for me to get to work. As I had to travel by public transport and the frequency of buses was reduced I ended up waiting for hours at a bus stop. Tired of the daily commuting issues and the thought, 'What if I get infected!’ ‘What if I carry this deadly threat home!’ ‘What if my family and neighbours have to suffer because of my profession?’ This forced me to shift to hospital accommodation. It was a difficult decision to take as I had to choose whether to stay back at home, relax, watch television and take a break from my duty or live in the hospital premises where they need my help and stand strong in this fight against Corona. With no delays, I spoke to my mother with confidence in my voice. Saying, “I’m shifting to the hospital quarters and I don’t want to stop my work." After seeing my confidence and desire, she supported me. That moment I felt really happy as I had achieved my parent’s faith.
Pratiksha Kamble Working at the Hospital
How’s it going with me now: Yes, every day has something new in itself. It has been more than three weeks since I have shifted to the hostel. Although it’s difficult being away from your family with hostel rules, new people around, food etc. Well, I’m trying to adjust to this new place. On the other hand, my parents ask me to come home but I will visit them once things get fine. I talk to them every day to keep them informed of my well-being and to give them comfort by saying I’m doing good and don’t worry about me. Right now I work in the non-COVID departments attending to, patients' basic care, patient shifting, medicine transfer etc. It’s a new change and challenge I’m learning through. Today I feel proud to say, I’m able to support my organization and work as a caregiver, living my dreams and keeping my family and neighbours safe. I’m really glad to be a part of Tata STRIVE. They trained us to stand on our feet and are still standing by us as a strong pillar. Their support has always been there especially in this situation. Stay healthy and safe. In Collaboration with
WRITERS BLOCK Mobilization - Time for a MAKEOVER‌? In a bid to break the current situation of COVID-19 virus chain, the Government of India declared nationwide lockdown under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, due to which, along with people from all walks of life, particularly students, aspirants from lower to higher education, skill trainees, apprenticeship trainees etc. are being severely affected as the present scenario across the country poses inimitable challenges to their learning & skilling process. Meanwhile, the Government of India is stressing on skilling up the rural as well as urban youths to trounce the unemployment crisis. As all the Training centres had to suspend their operations since the announcement of lockdown in the 3rd week of March 2020, including Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), which has resulted in potentially slowing down the speed of the skill training process. The prolonged lockdown has also increased the potential dropouts. It is now a big question that, how many of them will return to the training centres.
Prakash Kumar Das Lead, Mobilization and Placement
Anticipating the length of the lockdown of our training centres, we started to explore vivid innovative concepts & methodology to mobilize Learners for different courses at the Tata STRIVE Centers. While we did that, mobilisation teams at Tata STRIVE continued to cover new ground and confront unprecedented challenges triggered due to Lockdown. We engaged the Mobilisation Team in capacity building activities like STRIVEvoLve, Mobiliser Mela, (which connects all the mobilisers across India), Expert Sessions on Digital Presence in Mobilisation to name a few. Our experience showed that the Virtual mobilisation activities began showing a spike while Field mobilisation activities sagged. Field Mobilisation activities like Job Fairs, Community Connect & Door to Door mobilisation shown an obvious drop to the floor. Emerging virtual mobilisation channel like Google forms (Successfully implemented by TSSDC Mumbai, TSSDC Pune, TSEC Delhi & Voltas Thane) has been effective in creating a data base of prospect candidates for enrolment, Alumni Referrals, Virtual Orientation sessions with prospect Learners, Support from NGO partners and Local Government bodies etc. We also realised that Social Media is one of the major channel, and we need to explore it more and build up further. We plan to increase the contribution of Social Media to a minimum of 25% from a meagre 3% as of now. Social media will be the key to drive mobilization largely and we intend to exploit the full potential as the year goes by. While we work on the emerging medium, I will not stop myself from saying that the approach to Mobilization will surely go for a big Makeover and this will emerge to be a BIG milestone in the history of Skill development Sector in the years to come. 9
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MY SKILL STORY Mic testing…1,2, 3 It has been a while since we are all under a lockdown; yet most of us have found ways and means to stay connected with our passion and interests.
Today, I am going to share with you one of my interests. Even though I have not been able to keep it active in recent times, I still keep thinking of ways to improve it.
Tony Jacob Specialist- Facilitator Development
I enjoy compering for Celebration parties, Weddings, Office events, any occasion- be it a casual or formal set up, where you need someone to bring the crowd together and have FUN! It gives me a great joy to see the host a well as their guests enjoy their Special Day to the fullest. Even more interesting is the conversation that I get to have with the host before the actual event. The gleam in their eyes while they discuss the specifics of the special day makes the experience very endearing.
They make me a part of their DREAM by sharing their vision. As exciting and fun it may sound, this job comes with a huge responsibility. I have to ensure that I create an atmosphere where moments are be cherished and stories shared for years to come. After all, it’s not every day that you celebrate milestones in your lives! I developed an interest in compering when I was in school and used to get fascinated seeing the exciting work done by the comperes. Watching and learning from the experts was the best experience I could get. With loads of encouragement from family and friends, I started co-hosting small events in Church, alongside few of my expert friends. Every event allowed me to learn and improve. Looking back, I feel this may also be the time where I developed my passion for Training. The important thing I realized from my journey as a Compere is that talent or love for doing something is not enough, you have to take time to keep working on your skills, ask for feedback, make relevant changes to bring out the best in you. It’s important to keep upgrading yourself through new methods and techniques, be it for compering, training, or anything you do. I would say, keep learning, keep growing, and take time to pursue what you love to do the most. So don’t keep your talents locked-in… Express, sharpen, and go all out!
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Our Knowledge Partners
Tata Strive Skill Development Center Chandrakant Chambers, Opp.Madhuban Restaurant, Dhole Patil Road, Pune | Contact: 02066869100 Content: TSSDC Pune Team | Design: Anish Varghese | Editor: Sameet Joshi 11
For any feedback or suggestions write to sameet.joshi@tatasustainability.com
