Media Release
Dharwad, Jul 4: Considering the ongoing economic crisis and the recent wave of job cuts, Vidyaniketan Jesuit Youth Centre of Nirmal Nagar Dharwad in collaboration with ESSVEE Recruitech, Bengaluru, organized a mega job mela in the premises St Joseph's College, Dharwad on June 29.
This was indeed a first ever job fair which was organised by a Catholic religious institution supported by Karnataka Jesuit Education Society, Bengaluru. Jesuits work in Dharwad from 35 years and this was such a historical event in the entire history of their service there in Dharwad.
Vidyaniketan Jesuit Youth Centre which has been conducting various youth programmes for the youth of North Karnataka, made a big difference in hearts of many youths of the surrounding in and through this job fair. The main objective was to create employment opportunities, disseminate employment information, and familiarize the youth of North Karnataka with contemporary corporate culture, in the light of increasing government exam coaching centres which have mushroomed in Dharwad. This initiative was a great dream of Fr Joyson Sujay vas SJ, the director of Jesuit Youth Centre, Vidyaniketan, Dharwad. He said that, the plight youth seeking jobs in Hubballi-Dharwad is heartbreaking and thus he dreamt this dream of job mela. It was quite important, given the significant number of young people in Dharwad who are seeking job opportunities. The fair saw the participation of 12 to 15 recruiters from Bengaluru, led by Jeevan Kumar, founder of ESSVEE Recruiteck, along with 5 to 6 local companies, totalling a number of 30 companies. Reputed firms such as Amazon, Tata, Honda, Lenskart, Foxcon, Easy Ventures, SBI Life, Great Indian Career Academy and PVR from Bengaluru, Hubballi, and surrounding cities took part.
The stage programme featured prominent guests, including Perina Xavier, district manager of minority and development of Koppal district, as the guest of honour who is a Catholic of Dharwad held government post at her early 20s. She motivated all the aspirants to be patient with self, never giving up, and always urged all constantly busy in acquiring skills. Jeevan Kumar, the founder of ESSVEE Recruitech, Bengaluru as a chief guest brought out true life stories and challenged all the participants to think out of the box when seeking any job. He also gave them guidelines and explained the process of the job fair. Both special guests were felicitated. Other notable attendees included Fr Vijay D’Souza, principal of St Joseph's College, Fr Joyson Vaz SJ, Jesuit Youth director of Vidyaniketan Youth Centre, Dharwad, Fr Pratap Chandru SJ, the director of Vidyaniketan, and Arogya Swami, convener of the job fair. The programme began with an inter-religious prayer song which brought all the religions together with spiritual vibes. Fr Vijay D’Souza, the principal of St Joseph’s College, Dharwad welcomed the gathering and Fr Joyson Sujay Vas SJ, proposed vote of thanks.
Around eight hundred candidates from Dharwad, Hubballi, Bengaluru, and other cities participated, with free registration, making the event accessible to all. The fair catered to individuals with various qualifications, including SSLC, ITI, diploma, PUC, graduation, post-graduation, and engineering. Out of 650 attendees who attended interviews, 265 were recruited on the spot and received offer letters, while 335 were shortlisted, resulting in an overall recruitment rate of 85% recruitment.
Over 60 colleges from Dharwad and Hubballi were invited, with extensive participation from regions such as Belgavi, Karwar, Yellapur, Haveri, Bagalkot, Kittur, Mundgod, Hubballi, Tumrikoppa, Sirsi, and even from Vijayapura. The mega job mela gained positive feedback from participants, highlighting the successful recruitment process and the opportunities provided. It also brought smiles on the faces of hundreds of youths of North Karnataka. Many students shared their positive experiences regarding the recruitment process and the opportunities provided through the job fair. The collaborative effort of Vidyaniketan Jesuit Youth Center and St Joseph's College, Dharwad significantly impacted the local community, addressing employment needs and fostering corporate culture awareness among the youth. All the aspirants and the recruiters experienced a warm hospitality at the college premises by the college staff, volunteers and Vidyaniketan community members.