Bhubaneswar: Sixty-eight Class XII students from Government Vocational Higher Secondary Schools have begun a five-day skill development training programme at the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM), Bhubaneswar, to strengthen their practical knowledge and prepare them for careers in the tourism and hospitality sector.
The programme, being held from November 2 to 6, has been organised for students and vocational lecturers under the School and Mass Education Department of the Odisha Government. Participants from Ganjam, Balasore, Bhadrak and Jajpur districts are attending the training.
The inaugural session was attended by Binita Senapati, Additional Director, Directorate of Higher Secondary Education; Jitendra Nayak, Deputy Director; Sambit Suman, Head of the Production Department, IHM; Smitarekha Mohanty, Research Assistant, Directorate of Higher Secondary Education; and Aniruddha Mahapatra, Section Officer, among others.
Addressing the participants, Senapati stressed the need to combine classroom learning with practical training to improve students’ employability and self-reliance. She said vocational education in tourism and hospitality could open up career opportunities in hotel management, tourism guidance and hospitality services. Such industry-oriented training, she added, could also help address unemployment by preparing students for the job market.
Nayak appreciated the collaboration with IHM, a premier institution in the hospitality sector, for providing quality practical training. He highlighted the objectives of the programme and encouraged greater participation of students in similar skill development initiatives.
Suman appreciated the enthusiasm of the participating students and assured the institute’s full cooperation in supporting the state’s efforts to develop a skilled and competent workforce.
The five-day programme will focus on building practical skills and industry-oriented competencies among students pursuing the Tourism and Hospitality vocational trade.
