Expressnews
Chevalier T. Thomas Elizabeth College for Women proudly hosted the Valedictory Ceremony for the Retail Team Leadertraining program, a significant milestone under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL) in collaboration with ICT Academy. The initiative aims to skill and empower the youth from rural and economically weaker backgrounds, preparing them for promising careers in the retail sector.
As part of CPCL’s ongoing commitment to uplifting communities, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with ICT Academy to train 500 final-year undergraduate students from Arts and Science colleges across Chennai. The program specifically targeted youth from low-income families, equipping them with retail sector skills and essential soft skills to enhance their employability in the growing IT, ITES, and retail industries.
ICT Academy partnership with Chevalier T. Thomas Elizabeth College for Women, 58 students underwent the Retail Team Leader training program, which comprised 100 hours of rigorous, activity-based learning — 70 hours of Core Retail Skills and 30 hours of Soft Skills. Out of these, 56 students successfully completed the course and received joint certification from CPCL and ICT Academy.
The Valedictory Program held on April 11, 2025, at the college campus, was graced by the presence of several esteemed dignitaries:
• Mr. H. Shankar, Managing Director, CPCL
• Mr. Rohit Kumar Agrawala, Director (Finance), CPCL
• Mr. V. Srikanth, Chief Executive Officer, ICT Academy of Tamil Nadu
• Dr.S.Sridevi, Principal
• Dr. P. J. Queency Asha Dhas , Vice Principal
• Sudha Srikanth , Placement officer
• Ms. P. Lakshmi, State Project Lead – Tamil Nadu & Kerala
Distinguished guests presented certificates to the successful completed candidates and addressed the gathering with inspiring words on the importance of continuous learning, adaptability, and upskilling in today’s fast-evolving job market.
The event also witnessed participation from officials from ICT Academy, including:
• Mr. Suresh Kumar S, Senior Manager – Government Initiatives, ICT Academy
• Mr. Anand S., Relationship Manager, ICT Academy
• Alongside other officials from CPCL
Program Overview
Course Name: Retail Team Leader
This specialized course is mapped to global retail industry standards and prepares students for frontline leadership roles in retail. The 100-hour curriculum combines real-world retail skills with essential soft skills to ensure students are industry-ready and employable upon graduation.
Salient Features of the Training Program:
• Tailored for final-year UG students (2025 batch) from Arts and Science streams
• Designed to meet industry demand in the retail sector
• Joint certification by CPCL and ICT Academy
• Free of cost to students, fully sponsored by CPCL
• Delivered via in-class, activity-based sessions
This initiative stands as a testament to the power of industry-academia collaboration in building a skilled and empowered workforce for the future. The program not only enhances the employability of young women but also contributes to the socio-economic upliftment of underprivileged communities.
