Livelihood Advancement Business School

Dr. Reddy’s Foundation (DRF) was established to focus on offering education and livelihood programs in India. The case deals with DRF’s innovative program called Livelihood Advancement Business School (LABS), under which vocational training programs are conducted to upgrade the skills of underprivileged, semi-educated and unemployed youth. These programs develop specific and marketable technical and work-related skills and provide entry-level jobs to the target group. The LABS program fills an important gap between employers’ need for skilled youth and potential employees who might not have training, skills, credibility or access to such jobs. The case describes DRF’s entry into this particular niche sector and the difficulties that it faced along the way. The case also analyzes the following aspects of the LABS program: monitoring systems and processes; partnering relationships formed to expand its presence and outreach to the target population; challenges related to ensuring fair wages and skilling the differently-abled youth; and potential future directions for the program.

This case allows students to understand: <ul><li>The value of developing the knowledge and skills of the poor to enable them to find employment, become producers of goods and services, earn a livelihood and live a life of dignity while contributing to meaningfully economic growth.</li><li>The role of basic skills training to the underprivileged, uneducated or partially educated and vulnerable section of the Indian population in enabling their social and economic mobility.</li><li>The process for the design and execution of training programs that contribute to the overall development of the participants at conceptual, behavioural and psychological levels.</li><li>The complex and detailed systems, processes and control mechanisms that are required to ensure that the organization delivers on its stated objectives.</li></ul>

• Corporate social responsibility
• organization systems
• bottom of the pyramid
• employability training
• India