Project Pragati – One Step Towards Growth

About the Initiative

Project Pragati, launched in 2023, is an initiative by Honda India Foundation (HIF) which bridges the gap between limited opportunities and rising aspirations in rural and underserved regions of India. The program focuses on empowering unemployed youth from marginalized communities through professional training in the Allied Healthcare sector, with a strong emphasis on General Duty Assistant (GDA) roles.

As India’s healthcare ecosystem grows, the demand for trained support professionals continues to rise. Project Pragati prepares youth to step confidently into these roles, supporting hospitals, clinics, and patient-care environments with compassion, skill, and professionalism.

The initiative provides a transformative pathway for youth equipping them with patient-care skills, nursing support capabilities, and essential life readiness training to create sustainable careers and financial independence.

Program Scale & Impact

Nationwide Reach

• Operating in 60+ locations across 18 states.
• Strong on-ground presence in high need, underserved communities.

Training & Placement Outcomes

• 3,000+ youth trained in FY 2024–25.
• 98% placement rate, among the highest in the sector.
• 6,100+ beneficiaries empowered since inception (till March 2025).

Through this program, young individuals have moved into stable, meaningful employment within hospitals and healthcare institutions, directly contributing to community wellbeing.

How The Program Works

General Duty Assistant (GDA) Training

The training curriculum strengthens core competencies in:

• Patient care & bedside assistance.
• Nursing support.
• Infection control & basic health practices.
• Emergency response support.
• Soft skills, communication & life skills.
• Job readiness and workplace etiquette.

This integrated approach ensures trainees are not just skilled but industry-ready.

Major Activities & Engagement Events

1. Alumni & Valedictory Ceremonies

These gatherings celebrate achievement while creating a powerful community loop where alumni return as mentors, inspiring new batches with real-world stories of growth, challenges, and purpose.

2. Dealership Exposure Visits

Trainees visit Honda dealerships to understand corporate functioning, customer interaction, and the connection between industry and community development—broadening their perspective and confidence.

3. Online Interactive Sessions

Virtual forums bring together HIF leadership, trainers, dealers, and trainees across regions. These sessions offer a platform for sharing aspirations, addressing concerns, and staying motivated through guidance from senior leaders.

Partnerships That Power Pragati

The impact of Project Pragati is built on strong, coordinated partnerships:

Honda India Foundation (HIF)

Provides strategic direction, funding, and the commitment to uplift underserved youth and communities across India.

HMSI & HCIL Sales Associates and Dealers

Actively support the program through community outreach, dealership visits, motivational sessions, and region-level engagement.

KEDMAN SkillEd India Foundation

The implementing partner responsible for:

• Delivering high-quality training.
• Certification support.
• On-ground mobilization.
• Placement assistance.
• Continuous trainee handholding.

Healthcare Institutions

Hospitals and healthcare centers across India provide practical training and employment opportunities, helping trainees translate their classroom learning into real-world capability.

Highlights of 2024–25

• 60+ underserved locations reached.
• 3,000+ youth trained, with 98% placed in healthcare roles.
• 104 Sales Associates and 204 Dealers contributed to program activities.
• Trainees now actively working in hospitals with real-world patient care experience.
• KEDMAN SkillEd ensured smooth training-to-placement support.