In the wake of the devastating tsunami in December 2004, Freudenberg built a Training Centre in Nagapattinam in the South Indian province of Tamil Nadu. It officially opened in 2009 with a vision to provide career and skills-oriented vocational training to young people. So far, over 700 youngsters have received professional training to start off their careers as welders, fitters, machinists, mechanic (motor vehicle) and electricians. The Training Centre illustrates the long-term orientation of Freudenberg’s local aid projects. It has top quality equipment and facilities and has been approved by the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) which has strict standards and is widely-recognised throughout India.
Freudenberg Training Centre in Nagapattinam celebrated its 10th anniversary. The guest list included: Jeevanandam, Principal, Government ITI, Nagapattinam, Govindaraj, Chairman, Prime Group of Institutions, Jagadeesan, Headmaster, Sikkal Higher Secondary School, Ravichandran, Headmaster, Keevalur Government Higher Secondary School, Bhaskar, Head of SOS Children’s Village, Nagapattinam, and headmasters of many local schools and members of the media.
Participants included students, their parents, the faculty along with their families and Freudenberg Business Group members.
“Freudenberg is opening up opportunities for young people with the excellent training in Nagapattinam, while also helping India’s economy,” says Dr. Tilman Krauch, Member of the Freudenberg Board of Management and Chief Technology Officer. “It is a beacon for the ‘Make in India’ national program designed to foster innovation, enhance skills development and build best-in-class manufacturing infrastructure in the country.”