Cabinet approves J&K Skill Development Policy

SRINAGAR: The government today accorded approval to the Jammu and Kashmir Skill Development Policy for the 12th Five Year Plan. Decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of cabinet chaired by Chief Minister, Mr. Omar Abdullah.
To draw out an integrated strategy for enhancing the employability of the youth in the State and to address the growing skill gaps among youth, the state government with its Skill Jammu and Kashmir Business Plan-2012-17 envisages upskilling 9.1 lakh youth over the plan period. To achieve the target, an estimated Rs. 1575 crore will be required during the period in various sectors like Vocational and Technical Education, Micro Small Scale Industry, Horticulture, Tourism, IT, Health, Animal and Sheep Husbandry, UDAAN, Himayat etc.
With the innovative intervention of Sher-i-Kashmir Employment and Welfare Programme for Youth, the state government has been successful in creating first ever credible scientific database of unemployed youth in the state. The number of unemployed youth registered in various district employment and counselling centres of J&K state is 6.04 lakh ending January 2012. The data thus generated is an indication of the magnitude of the challenge.
The 12th Five Year Plan with an outlay of Rs. 67822.47 crore(2011-12 prices) has been prepared. The state government is aiming at an annual average economic growth of 7.5% over the plan period. The huge capital expenditure during 2012-17 will create massive employment opportunities. These employment opportunities, however, will require relevant skills which inturn demands conscious approach to create an environment of employability with close linkage between demand and supply. Thus the emphasis will be on both- creation of job opportunities and enhancing the employability of the youth.
The `Skill Jammu and Kashmir Business Plan-2012-17’ also envisages establishment of Skill Development Centre and introduction of Knowledge Centre Programme (KCP). The Skill Development Center will be established on a PPP model in major cities like Srinagar and Jammu to encourage youth of J&K to improve their capabilities and find employment in IT and ancillary activities. These centres will be established in collaboration with IT industries, IT education institutions or in IT associations.
The J&K Government would also tie-up with leading MNCs to facilitate the smooth transition of skilled resource to the industry. Government would set up a KCP board comprising of specialist recruiters/conglomerate of recruitment agencies and IT industry recruiters and experts that would tie-up with engineering and technical colleges and others to provide training of premium technology courses in the last year of graduate/post graduate course and then provide assistance for their placement. (KMW News)