Schneider Electric India's first Renewable Energy Training Centre (RETC) inaugurated

Schneider Electric India Foundation inaugurated its first Renewable Energy Training Centre at the Art of Living Headquarter in Kanakpura - Bangalore Ashram in association with Art of Living Foundation. The event was graced by the presence of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Dr. Shalini Sarin - VP and HR Country Partner and Mr. Nagarajan – VP Partner business, Schneider Electric India Pvt. Ltd.

The Renewable Energy Training Centre has been setup to support new entrepreneurs from the “Bottom of the Pyramid” to start their own business in renewable electrical market along the lines of Schneider Electrics’ flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program BipBop, that is based on ‘Business, Innovation, and People at the Base of the Pyramid’ and aims to provide access to reliable, affordable and clean energy for people with limited or no access to electricity.  

The Renewable Energy Training Centre RETC will play a vital role in training youth to sustainably distribute and manage electricity in rural India. This RETC in Bangalore alone will create 150 livelihood opportunities per year on the following subjects and small scale business and promotion.

• Energy Classification
• Energy Needs of India (Category wise)
• Basics of Electrical Engineering
• Safety and Health Hazards
• Solar Energy
• Solar based home lighting system installations
• Micro grid installation and maintenance
• Solar water pumping installation and maintenance
• Battery management
• Entrepreneurship – how to run a small business

Schneider Electric India Foundation is a social commitment of Schneider Electric in India with its mission to help people change lives through access to energy. The company strongly feels that Corporate Social Responsibility practices are successful in creating meaningful, economic and environmental benefits towards the society.

Schneider Electric India Foundation has a disciplined step-by-step approach towards managing these initiatives, starting from initial assessment, upto determining a “social footprint” through suggestions on how to measure performance. SEIF recognizes that CSR means more than propagating a company’s own values and principles and also on understanding the values and principles of those who have a stake in, or are affected by, its operation.

Schneider Electric India Foundation is active in engaging communities and its development to better meet the expectations through a steadfast focus on execution, yielding measurable improvements overtime. The CSR programs of Schneider Electric India Foundation are designed to cater to the needs of the regions by participating in the local daily life of the sites where the company operates. The CSR activities are focused on trainings, integration and support for the people and to fight against social exclusion. The Schneider Electric India Foundation commits itself by helping the planet and society through its unique 4E interventions (as described below).

• Education: Electrician training programs for unemployed youth, Scholarship to the poor students to pursue engineering degree, Conserve My Planet program an exclusive program on energy conservation for the primary students to save energy and the environment.
• Employment: Electrician training to the unemployed youth is the central project of the foundation.
• Electrification: Facilitate access to energy at very remote areas without the grid supply.
• Entrepreneurship: Support new entrepreneurs from the “Bottom of the Pyramid” to start their own business in renewable electrical market.