Punjab to introduce State Skill Training Scheme to enhance Youth employability: Aman Arora

CHANDIGARH: In a bid to increase youth employability in the state as per the vision of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, Mr. Aman Arora, Minister of Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training, directed the department officials to set up a Working Group to finalise Punjab Skill Training Scheme.

Mr Aman Arora was addressing the stakeholders and training partners during open house discussion session on the proposed scheme and optimum utilisation of Multi Skill Development Centres here at PEDA Complex.

Talking about the proposed Skill Training Scheme, Mr. Aman Arora informed that short term training (two months to one year) courses will be undertaken under the scheme to train students in Government Schools, Colleges, Universities, ITIs, Polytechnics, Multi Skill Development Centres (MSDCs), Health Sector Development Centres (HSDCs), Rural Skill Centres (RSCs) and those candidates who are experienced but are without skill certifications, besides imparting training to vulnerable sections of the society.

The Cabinet Minister has also brainstormed with stakeholders to ensure the optimum utilisation of Multi Skill Development Centres (MSDCs). He said that there are five MSDCs, three Health Skill Development Centres (HSDCs) and 198 Rural Skill Centres (RSCs).

Emphasising on the need to focus on bridging the gap between industrial requirements and skilled manpower, Mr Aman Arora asked the officials to design the courses according to demand of the industry. He also sought suggestions from the stakeholders on the proposed Skill Training Scheme.

Principal Secretary Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training Ms. Jaspreet Talwar welcomed all the stakeholders and training partners. Vice Chairperson Punjab Development Commission Ms Seema Bansal, Director Ms Amrit Singh and officials from Technical Education, Industry, Higher Education, School Education departments were also present. Representatives of Industry Associations, NSDC, CII, FICCI, NABARD, C-PYTE, Training Partners, SSCs also participated in the session.