~The joint initiative aims to equip youth with future-ready skills, strengthen employability and create pathways to emerging career opportunities~
Chennai, 13th August, 2026: The Ma Foi Foundation (TMF), the CSR arm of the Ma Foi Group and CIEL HR, in collaboration with Madras School of Social Work (MSSW), today inaugurated a new Skill Development Centre in Chennai, marking the MSSW’s 75th anniversary. Located at the MSSW campus in Egmore, the centre aims to equip young people with industry-relevant skills and training, strengthen their employability and create pathways to emerging career and livelihood opportunities.
Inaugurated in the presence of Ms. Hemalatha Rajan, Managing Trustee, The Ma Foi Foundation, and Mr. K. A. Mathew, I.A.S., President, MSSW, alongside senior representatives from The Ma Foi Foundation and MSSW, the Centre marks a joint effort to strengthen the link between education, contemporary skills and employment opportunities, particularly for young people seeking to build careers in emerging areas.
Launched against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving employment landscape, where emerging technologies and changing industry requirements are reshaping the skills expected from young professionals, the Centre will offer industry-oriented training in emerging domains such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Analytics, alongside employability-focused capabilities. Through practical and career-oriented programmes, the initiative aims to help learners build relevant technical and workplace skills, strengthen career preparedness, gain greater awareness of emerging career pathways and bridge the gap between education, evolving industry needs and employment.
Beyond individual skill development, the partnership also aims to create a scalable model for collaborative skilling and livelihood initiatives. The Centre will seek to strengthen the connection between learning and employment while enabling more young people to access opportunities in emerging areas of the economy.
Speaking on the collaboration, Ms. Hemalatha Rajan, Managing Trustee, The Ma Foi Foundation, said, “We believe that skilling becomes truly meaningful when it is closely connected to the aspirations of young people and the requirements of industry. Our collaboration with Madras School of Social Work provides an opportunity to create a strong platform where learners can acquire contemporary skills, build confidence and access pathways to meaningful employment.”
The collaboration brings together TMF’s experience in skill development, employability and livelihood programmes with MSSW’s academic foundation and expertise in social sciences, community engagement and youth development. TMF has been implementing skill development and employment-oriented initiatives for underserved communities and aspiring youth, with a focus on aligning training with evolving industry requirements and pathways to sustainable employment.
About The Ma Foi Foundation
The Ma Foi Foundation is the CSR arm of the Ma Foi Group and CIEL HR, working towards creating opportunities in skill development, employability and livelihood for underserved communities and aspiring youth. Through its initiatives, the Foundation seeks to connect relevant skills with employment opportunities and support pathways towards sustainable livelihoods.
About Madras School of Social Work
Madras School of Social Work (MSSW) is an institution of higher education in Chennai with a focus on social sciences, social work education, community engagement and youth development. Through its academic and outreach initiatives, MSSW works towards developing skilled professionals and contributing to social development.