Learn While You Earn Program

The SMT-Learn While You Earn programme by Strides Pharma Science is a decade-old workforce development initiative that has transformed the lives of economically disadvantaged youth across rural and semi-urban India by integrating employment, higher education, and community living into a single structured experience.Selected through a rigorous assessment process, participants join Self-Managed Teams and enter a four-year development journey within the Gurukula ecosystem   receiving accommodation, nutrition, transport, and full academic access alongside income from day one. In partnership with a recognised university, the programme offers a B.Voc qualification pathway combined with hands-on pharmaceutical manufacturing exposure. Governance is structured through the 10 Pillars framework, Skill Based Progression System, and ongoing community feedback mechanisms.Over seven batches, 152 trainees have graduated and 64 have progressed into Technical Officer roles within Strides' manufacturing operations. Currently 126 participants are active. Over 800 family members benefit indirectly from improved income stability. The programme has strengthened workforce capability, reduced external recruitment dependency, and created a sustainable internal talent pipeline while demonstrating that industrial growth and social equity are not competing goals, but the same goal pursued seriously.