CS reviews skill development programme

JAMMU:-Chief Secretary Madhav lal today took stock of progress of various schemes under implementation in the state for skill development and enhancement of employability of youth.
The meeting which was attended by Principle Secretary to chief minister Mr.B.B Vyas and other administrative secretaries, discussed measures put in place by various departments to achieve the goal of training about 40 lakh youth in the next 10 years.
Underlining of physical capacity for training workforce as a signinficant ingredient in the strategy for achieving the target, Chief Secretary said that this issue is of key importance requiring focused attention.
Madhav Lal stressed on removing bottlenecks and strengthening of institutions ensuring appropriate training of locals in-situ as well as externally. He said involvement of private sector with adequate market linkage, can also be considered in this regard. He said handloom, handicrafts and other textile related skills have greater potential for the youth to help them enhance their job employability.
He said Union Ministry of Textile has offered schemes for protection of local crafts and training of youth with the target of 50,000 persons in five years. He said that necessary rapport between the state and central agencies in this direction needs to be strengthened to avail the benefits.
The Chief Secretary also laid stress on vocationalization of present education system in the state adding that incorporating new courses of vocational education in the academic curricula will open up new job opportunities for the youth.
Chief Secretary said that since demand for IT skilled persons is increasing, more and more youth are now being imparted training in the ITI’s as such further up scaling and upgrading of these institutions is the need of the hour. He said that such IT skilled youth will meet the likely demand on account of ambitious IT programme underway in the areas of commercial taxes, treasures, panchayats, personal information and other e-governance projects.
The Chief Secretary also directed for steps to ensure absorption and protection of trained youth in the private job market.
Detailed deliberations were also held on development of industrial clusters, facilitation centres, tool rooms and other issues related to capacity building and infrastructure development.