The Department of Skill Development & Technical Education of the Odisha Government has extended a groundbreaking invitation to Bird Academy, the educational branch of the Bird Group. Under the innovative Nutana Unnata Abhilasha (NUA), Odisha program, this partnership seeks to lead the way in technical education and skill development for the state’s youth.
Bird Academy commits to meticulously developing specialized education and training programs specifically suited for Odisha’s youth in response to this invitation. The main goal is to provide students with the knowledge and abilities needed to find long-term jobs in the rapidly growing industries of aviation and hospitality, as the state does not yet have any facilities of this kind. The main objective is to build a workforce that is competent, multi-skilled, and efficient to close the significant skill gap that exists in these industries.
There is a potential for nearly 1.5 lakh jobs in the ground handling segment alone, according to the Aerospace and Aviation Sector Skill Council’s skill gap assessment. Approximately 3.5 lakh qualified workers are required in the hospitality industry, based on the Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council. By utilising its experience, Bird Academy will offer pilot training in housekeeping, food & beverage, and front office management at Roseate Hotels & Resorts in New Delhi, as well as specialist training in airport ground handling at its facilities in Kochi, Kerala.
Pilot batches will receive training during the first phase; the first batch of 17 students is scheduled to enroll at the institute in Cochin on December 14, 2023. After that, sixty students will train in Delhi to work in different hospitality professions such as room boy, kitchen assistant, and steward/waiter.
The Bird Group’s chairperson, Mrs. Radha Bhatia, expressed her delight in helping the Nutana Unnata Abhilasha (NUA) Odisha scheme’s youth receive technical education and skill development, especially in isolated tribal areas. She highlighted Bird Academy’s willingness to provide steadfast support and its knowledge of travel, aviation, and hospitality, along with having advised other state governments to take inspiration from Odisha’s strategic approach.
The Odisha government’s initiative demonstrates its commitment to adapting policies and procedures to accommodate the evolving dynamics of the job market. It is becoming increasingly important to concentrate on developing a strong skilled ecosystem as Odisha experiences transformations in several areas. By leveraging the state’s demographic dividend for efficient industrial growth, the collaboration with Bird Academy is positioned to provide the next generation of talent with cutting-edge skills.
