Bhubaneswar: In a significant move to bolster the skilling ecosystem in Odisha, a delegation led by Suresh Natarajan, Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Technical Education & Education Services (ITEES), Singapore, met with Odisha Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja at Lokseva Bhawan on December 2, 2024. The discussions focused on advancing the IT-ITeS sector and a proposal to introduce semiconductor training programs in the state.
The semiconductor training initiative is a response to the increasing demand for skilled professionals in the semiconductor and allied fields, driven by the rapid growth of the industry and its pivotal role in powering emerging technologies. Odisha, under its “Skilled in Odisha” initiative, aims to establish itself as a hub for advanced manufacturing and high-tech industries by investing in specialized training and fostering industry partnerships.
The meeting follows the visit of the Prime Minister of India to Singapore, where he interacted with World Skill Centre interns, and the recent visit of the Odisha Chief Minister, accompanied by the Skill Development and Technical Education Minister and the Chief Secretary, to Singapore. These visits emphasized the importance of global collaborations in enhancing the state’s skilling ecosystem.
During the meeting, Natarajan and Odisha’s Chief Skills Officer highlighted the need for specialized training to meet the demands of high-tech industries. A comprehensive proposal for training programs in the IT-ITeS and semiconductor sectors will be submitted soon to further this initiative.
Key officials present at the meeting included NBS Rajput, Principal Secretary, Skill Development & Technical Education Department; Vishal Kumar Dev, Principal Secretary, Department of Electronics & IT; and Pinaki Patnaik, Chief Skills Officer and COO of the World Skill Centre. The Singapore delegation expressed satisfaction with ongoing programs and underscored the importance of sustained global partnerships to elevate Odisha’s role in the high-tech skilling domain.
With the government’s strategic focus on industrial growth and technological advancement, Odisha is poised to become a significant player in the semiconductor value chain, contributing to India’s self-reliance in this critical sector while creating a sustainable and skilled workforce.