Over 300 get jobs at DB Bicentenary Job Fair in Chennai By Louis Kumpiluvelil SDBChennai, Mar. 15. A whopping 324 young men and women received on-the-spot job offer letters while 400 others were shortlisted by 35 reputed companies on 14 March 2015 at the Don Bosco Job Fair and Technical Expo held in the campus of SIGA Polytechnic and the adjoining DB College of Art and Design (DBCAD) in Chennai. The day-long event was organized by DB Vazhikatti, the Career Guidance and Job Placement Cell of the Salesian Province of Chennai, with the collaboration of the Technical Sector of the Provincial Youth Pastoral team. It was one of the many events organized in the province to mark the Bicentenary celebrations of Don Bosco's birth (1815-2015).
Some 1400 Diploma Holders, ITI graduates and DB Tech-India trainees from various formal and non-formal technical training institutes in the Provinces of Chennai and Tiruchy took part in the grand job 'mela'.
For the candidates who attended the event, it was a great opportunity to interact with various Companies and Industries and to showcase their skills and capabilities and opt for jobs that suited their tastes and talents. The job seekers were interviewed and their credentials examined by HR personnel from 35 leading companies. Among the companies who attended the Job Fair were big names like ITC Limited, Royal Enfield, Khivaraj Motors Pvt. Ltd, TI Cycles of India, Wipro, C.A.R.S. India Pvt. Ltd, India Yamaha Motor Pvt. Ltd, Schneider Electric India Pvt. Ltd, ABT Maruti, and Reliance Market.
The prospective candidates were prepared and coached by Vazhikaatti staff on the do's and don'ts of job interviews. The selection process was on the basis of direct interviews and written tests.
The Technical Expo was prepared by the various Technical Institutions in the Provinces of Chennai and Tiruchy to highlight the kind of training they give to their students.
The Expo and the Job Fair were inaugurated by Fr. Jayapalan Raphael SDB, Salesian Provincial. Fr. Sathiaseelan, the Director of Don Bosco Polytechnic College, Thirukazhukundram, welcomed the gathering. Fr. Jayapalan in his inaugural address highlighted Don Bosco's pioneering efforts at setting up ''Trade Schools'', schools exclusively meant for training youngsters in various trades, something altogether new in 19th century Europe. He further pointed out that Don Bosco was a pioneer not only in setting up trade schools, but also in promoting the rights of workers, by entering into written contracts with the employers to ensure that the young workers are not exploited by the industry.
At the inaugural function, Bro. Julian Santi SDB, a missionary from Italy, was specially honoured for his 58 years of service in the field of technical education in the province of Chennai. Cash awards were also given to students who had excelled in Electrician and Welding courses under the NCVT and SCVT streams.
Concluding the function, Fr. Joseph Leo, Director of Vazhikatti, said the success of the job fair was due to meticulous planning and teamwork.