MEA’s PDOT Program Transforms Overseas Employment

New Delhi:  The Ministry of External Affairs’ (MEA) Pre-Departure Orientation Training (PDOT) program has emerged as a cornerstone for Indians seeking employment abroad. By equipping migrant workers with essential soft skills and cultural literacy, the initiative ensures they are better prepared for the global job market.

In a recent Rajya Sabha session, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh revealed that 230,342 trainees have benefited from this free program to date. Responding to queries from MP Dr. Bhim Singh regarding skill-based opportunities, the Minister emphasized that PDOT is vital for ensuring "safe, legal, and informed migration."

• Bridging the Cultural and Skill Gap
  The eight-hour training module is designed to familiarize workers with their destination country’s:
• Local Laws and Regulations: Ensuring legal compliance and safety.
• Culture and Traditions: Reducing "culture shock" and promoting workplace harmony.
• Language Basics: Improving communication in the host nation.
• Welfare Schemes: Educating workers on Indian government safety nets available abroad.

To ensure no aspiring migrant is left behind, the Ministry has standardized the curriculum and expanded its infrastructure:

Multilingual Support: Manuals are available in seven languages: Hindi, English, Bengali, Malayalam, Punjabi, Tamil, and Telugu.

Hybrid Model: Launched in April 2021, the Online PDOT allows remote candidates to train from home, complementing the 47 physical centers operated by the NSDC and state governments.

Core Mantra: The program operates on the philosophy of "Go Safe, Go Trained, and Go with Confidence."

This initiative has proven particularly beneficial for workers heading to Gulf countries, providing them with the tools to navigate foreign environments securely. By transforming migration from a risk-heavy venture into a structured career move, the MEA is effectively safeguarding the interests of the Indian diaspora.