Bhubaneswar: On the occasion of World Youth Skills Day, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated a series of programmes aimed at enhancing skill development across the state. The event, held at the World Skill Centre in Bhubaneswar, highlighted the government’s commitment to transforming Odisha into a hub for skilled manpower.
“Our government is committed to making Odisha a hub for skilled manpower. A roadmap has been prepared for skill development. Within the next 2-3 years, our youth will be able to enter the skill development programme based on their interests and acquire employable skills as per the industry’s requirements. Our youth are the future of Odisha. With their skills and talents, Odisha will become a prosperous state,” said CM Majhi in his speech.
Emphasizing the priority of skill development and vocational education, CM Majhi announced plans for significant investment in the sector in the upcoming budget. “The first Skill Centre was inaugurated for catering training in the hospitality sector. Plans are afoot to open nine more Skill Centres,” he said. “This will provide an opportunity for our youth to get trained in hospitality and related fields, meeting the demand for skilled manpower to establish Odisha as a tourism hub.”
Among the key initiatives launched was the ‘CM-ASPIRE’ program, designed to enhance the employability of young individuals by equipping them with essential skills and qualifications. CM Majhi highlighted the importance of skill acquisition in making youth job-ready, enabling them to pursue advanced training and qualifications that align with industry needs.
The Chief Minister also underscored the government’s focus on improving model career centres established by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, creating employable skills for the youth, fostering innovation and research, and providing opportunities for Odisha’s youth to receive higher professional education in top institutes abroad.
“With increasing investment in infrastructure, the demand for skilled human resources is rising rapidly,” said CM Majhi. “To address this, we will set up about 10 Biswakarma Centres to make the youth skilled in the construction sector. Additionally, decentralizing skill development programmes is crucial to meet local employment needs and empower districts to increase their capacity in the local sector.”
Highlighting the critical role of skills in economic progress, CM Majhi stated, “Skill is the foundation of progress. The skills of the youth are the backbone of the economic strength of the nation and create the identity of a progressive society. Odisha must stand at the forefront of this movement, preparing the youth to face vocations with confidence and ability.”
In the interim budget this year, around Rs 31 crore has been allocated for capacity building, with plans for further increases in the coming years. CM Majhi also urged young women to actively participate in skill development programs and take advantage of the opportunities available.
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