Future Hope and George Telegraph Training Institute have launched a programme for youths to get technical training at a subsidised rate.

The programme is targeted at those who have cleared Class VIII and have a monthly family income of less than Rs 10,000. Classes will be held on the 5.57 acre Future Hope campus in Barrackpore.

Those who enrol in the course will be trained in automobile repair (three and four wheeler), computer hardware, smartphone repair, telephone repair, office and internet, and professional executive secretary. Several scholarships will be on offer.

The course will also include personality development and honing communicative English skills.

Classes are set to start from September and the training period will range from three to 12 months. Students will get campus placements.

Ninety students have already enrolled, Subrata Dutta, director, George Telegraph, said while announcing the programme at the Press Club on Friday. "We aim to train 300 or even more."

While Future Hope will provide the infrastructure, George Telegraph is the project's knowledge partner. "Students can return to the institute for further upgrade and better placements," Dutta said.

Future Hope founder Tim Grandage said: "We try to give underprivileged children equal opportunities. We already have a school. Now, such skill training programmes will help our students become financially independent."

Future Hope is working on many more such projects, CEO Sujata Sen said.