Dehradun : A skill eco-framework for Uttarakhand will be developed in the next two months. In order to enhance the employability and self-employment potential of about 40 lakh citizens in the 15-59 years age group, the State Government will prepare a work plan with the help of the Central Government.
Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan along with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on Sunday reviewed the status of various skill initiatives in the state and suggested measures to identify areas of improvement.
“There are 176 government ITIs in Uttarakhand which are much more in view of the area and population. Proper usage of these institutions should be ensured. Some tie-ups with industries should be done for these ITIs. The industries should not only upgrade these ITIs, but also give placements to students studying there. For the same, the Centre will provide full support to the state government,” Pradhan said.
Pradhan also shared his views on the “expansion of skill initiatives by identifying new and emerging trade and practices, and implementing demand specific skill training so that talent could be absorbed within the state”.
Special focus should be laid on skill development of those related to the tourism industry. Those working in hotels, restaurants, as drivers, guides and in other positions need to be skilled and re-skilled. According to a study, people in Uttarakhand prefer self-employment to a private job. The government should work as a facilitator to enable the youth to achieve this.
In the next three years, for skill development, the state government’s MSME, school education, higher education, skill development and tourism department should jointly prepare the skill eco system plan and work on it in a time bound manner. The Centre is eager to provide all cooperation to the state for this purpose, said Pradhan. From the school level itself, the children should be taught some skill according to their interest. Pointing out that the national highway network is expanding considerably in Uttarakhand, the union minister said that in the form of roadside activities, employment opportunities can be provided on a large scale in various spheres.
Speaking at the meeting, the chief minister said that the government’s focus is on the service sector. There are considerable opportunities for employment and self-employment in the service sector in Uttarakhand. Considering this, special focus should be laid on the service sector for skill development.
The State Government has set targets for 2020 and is working with commitment to achieve these. Employment is being accorded top priority also as a means to stall migration. Skill development plays an important part in this. The State Government has undertaken various small and medium initiatives. One of this- the Devbhog Prasad Yojana is yielding positive results. Through women self help groups, Prasad costing a total of Rs 1.5 crore has been sold to pilgrims in Kedarnath and Badrinath under this scheme. This Prasad is made from local produce, he added.
Pradhan also took to Twitter and wrote: “Uttarakhand is amongst the best performing states in our Skill India mission. Suggested to identify areas of improvement and work towards re-skilling and upskilling of the entire workforce in the state. Also suggested to use technology to reach out to the last man for value addition.”
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Rawat said: “In Uttarakhand, there are many potential jobs in the service sector. Special focus should be given on the service sector in the skill development plan.
Minister for higher education Dhan Singh Rawat, MSDE secretary KP Krishnan, joint secretary Rajesh Agrawal, state additional chief secretary Ranvir Singh, Harak Singh Rawat, principal secretary Manisha Panwar and secretary Bhupinder Kaur Aulakh among others were also present in the review meeting.
Note: News shared for public awareness with reference from the information provided at online news portals.
