Bhubaneswar, Oct. 4: Korean steelmaker Posco today said it would start training youths from displaced and affected families in Jagatsinghpur district to make them employable.

The steel company, which has been facing opposition from villagers protesting against its 12 million-tonne integrated steel project in the district, will also bear the tuition fees and expenses for uniforms, accommodation and food for six months till the completion of training. In the first batch, 30 youths will be trained in masonry and welding starting this month.

Chairman and managing director of Posco India Soung-Sik Cho said the welfare of the affected families was high on the company’s agenda. “Posco India will make all possible efforts to provide the local people, who are directly and indirectly affected by the project, a better life for tomorrow. We will provide employment to all displaced families,” he added.

Cho said Posco would provide employment to the displaced families as well as to those who would lose agricultural land.

The 30 trainees will receive training at the Centre for Industrial Training in Jagatsinghpur. The institute will impart both theoretical and practical training.

Posco India will set up its own training centre in Sandhakuda in the district to conduct skill upgradation training programmes.