Bhubaneswar: In a significant step towards promoting livelihood opportunities in forest-dominated regions, the first phase of a joint skill development initiative by the Odisha government has been successfully completed in Balangir district, enabling rural youth to secure employment.
The programme, implemented by the Odisha Skill Development Authority under the Skill Development and Technical Education Department in collaboration with the Forest Department (Kenduleaf), is aimed at making unemployed youth from remote and forest areas self-reliant and industry-ready.
As part of the initiative, 28 youths from the Bandhpara forest range in Balangir district underwent a two-month training in the Assistant Electrician trade. Following successful completion of the programme, all trainees have been placed in jobs. Of them, 19 received appointment letters as electricians with TVS Motor Company at its facility in Hosur, Karnataka, while the remaining nine secured employment in various local private institutions.
The training centre for the programme was established on January 12, 2026, at Bhutiarbahal in Balangir district by OSDA. The training commenced on January 28 and concluded on March 24, after which appointment letters were distributed by the Balangir Forest Range Officer (Kenduleaf).
The initiative also saw participation from youths belonging to Kenduleaf workers’ families, reflecting its focus on economically vulnerable communities residing in forest areas.
The project is being implemented by the All India Society for Electronics and Computer Technology, which was entrusted with execution by OSDA. The programme is conducted under the supervision of the District Skill Development and Employment Officer, Balangir, along with local forest officials.
Officials said the joint effort is part of a broader strategy to create a skilled workforce aligned with industry demands while improving the socio-economic conditions of youth in rural and forest regions. The departments plan to scale up the initiative in the coming phases to cover more beneficiaries across the state.
