Bhubaneswar: Union Minister for Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday inaugurated India’s first Skill India Centre (SIC) at Sambalpur.
According to an official press release, addressing the youth, Pradhan said that India requires a skilled and competent workforce to propel its development journey forward in the 21st century.
“The new-age and future skills are available at considerably higher cost in global markets and realizing this, we envision democratizing access to quality education and establishing a level playing field for the aspiring youth. The introduction of low-cost courses in the centre will empower large youth and make them part of the evolving job market,” he added.
The Minister stated that by spearheading the skill training programs in new-age job roles, we will upgrade the skills set of Amrit Peedhi in demand-driven industries and we aim to empower over 1200 students through this centre.
The Skill India Centre is designed to build the capabilities and knowledge of Yuva Shakti in trades that are high in demand such as Media & Entertainment, Leather, Tourism & Hospitality, and IT-ITeS.
Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO, NSDC and MD, NSDC International also addressed the event.
The initiative stands as a progressive step towards creating a conducive learning environment that empowers youth with industry-specific skills through a unique combination of classroom and work-based learning.
The SIC is equipped with best-in-class infrastructure, cutting-edge technologies and modern facilities that will catalyse demand for formal skills and will serve as a catalyst in enabling youth to acquire the skills needed to succeed in their respective fields.
To further fuel growth, collaborative efforts are being made to harness the potential of demographic dividends to catalyse rural development, nurture local entrepreneurship and spur socio-economic growth.
The SIC will play a pivotal role in designing curriculum along with industry experts which will be aligned with the changing industry needs, promote standardization, and create employment opportunities that meet the demand for skilled talent across industries.
It stands as a remarkable opportunity for youth that aims to leverage modern technologies, gain technology-driven learning experiences and explore potential career avenues with renowned organizations.
The comprehensive training programs at the Centre will provide exposure to best practices, new methodologies and emerging trends across the mentioned job roles. In this three-month-long skilling program, 240 youth will be skilled across different job roles such as graphic designer, storyboard artist, and food and beverage services associate.
To ensure seamless implementation of the training ecosystem, National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) will designate a Centre Manager who will monitor the implementation of training programs, ensure adherence to quality standards, and overall functioning of the Center. This transformative step will open new avenues for individuals to pursue education, and acquire new skills and employment linkages.
Following this event, the upcoming Skill India Centre in Odisha is scheduled to be inaugurated in Angul, Bhadrak, Dhenkanal, Talcher and Deogarh. By targeting the high economic growth sectors, each SIC in Odisha aims to address the specific skill needs of industries that have the potential to drive regional development and create sustainable employment opportunities.
