Catholic Priest from Karnataka Honoured for Empowering Youth Through Skill-Based Education

Bangalore, July 17, 2025— Fr. Deepak Joseph SMM, Founder-Director of St. Joseph's Institute of Skills (SJIS), Bangalore, was awarded the prestigious "Person Who Has Served the Community Through Skill Education" award from the Youth Efforts Society, Mysore, at the Karnataka Educational Awards 2025. The event was held at Ravindra Kalakshetra in Bangalore on July 16. The honour recognises Fr. Deepak’s dedicated efforts over the past 12 years towards empowering underprivileged youth in Karnataka through practical, skill-based education.

Speaking to Catholic Connect, Fr. Deepak expressed his gratitude and joy over receiving the award:

“I feel incredibly grateful that God has given me the gift to serve people through skill education. The support and blessings of His Grace Archbishop Peter Machado have been a cornerstone of this journey.”

A native of Tumarikoppa village in Karnataka's Dharwad district, Fr. Deepak belongs to the Society of Montfort Missionaries (SMM). He was ordained a priest on January 31, 2012. In 2013, he embarked on his mission in vocational training, becoming the first from the SMM congregation to do so. His pioneering journey began at St. Joseph’s Community College, a Jesuit initiative that offers job-oriented training courses to school dropouts from Bangalore’s slums. 

Recognising the growing need for job-oriented, skill-based education for school and college dropouts, Fr. Deepak established St. Joseph’s Institute of Skills (SJIS) in Bangalore in January 2020. He founded the institute with the invitation and support of Archbishop Peter Machado and the Archdiocese of Bangalore.

“Failing in exams doesn’t mean failing in life," Fr. Deepak says. "Institutes like SJIS offer alternative career paths to support students who struggle academically in building a dignified life.” 

Since its inception, SJIS has trained over 2,000 youth in job-oriented courses, while Fr. Deepak’s overall efforts over the past 12 years have impacted more than 5,000 students. These include SSLC, PUC, and degree dropouts from economically and socially disadvantaged backgrounds.

SJIS currently offers vocational programs in Hotel Management, Nursing & Healthcare, Electrical & Electronics, Beauty & Wellness, Office Administration, Fashion Designing and Pre-Primary Teacher Training. These courses include compulsory modules in basic computer skills and Tally. They also cover communication, life skills, and soft skills. In addition, students coming from traumatic or broken family backgrounds are provided with personal counselling.

Each programme lasts one year and ends with on-campus recruitment, allowing students to transition directly into the workforce. A majority of these youth come from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families and have gone on to secure employment and financial independence.

With continued support from the Archdiocese of Bangalore, Fr. Deepak stands as a beacon of hope for thousands of youth seeking a second chance in life through skill development and empowerment.

By Catholic Connect Reporter

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