Skill Initiative Empowers Forest Youth in Balangir, Ensures 100% Placement

Bhubaneswar: In a focused effort to create livelihood opportunities in forest regions, the Odisha government has successfully completed the first phase of a joint skill development initiative 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), aims to make unemployed youth from remote and forest areas industry-ready.

Under the initiative, 28 youths from the Bandhpara forest range underwent a two-month training programme in the Assistant Electrician trade. Following completion, all trainees were successfully placed in jobs, marking a significant achievement for the project.

Out of the total, 19 candidates secured employment with TVS Motor Company at its facility in Hosur, Karnataka, while the remaining nine found jobs in local private institutions.

The training centre was set up at Bhutiarbahal in Balangir district on January 12, 2026, with training commencing on January 28 and concluding on March 24. Appointment letters were later distributed by the local forest authorities.

The initiative also prioritised participation from youths belonging to Kenduleaf workers’ families, targeting economically vulnerable communities in forest-dominated areas.

The programme was executed by the All India Society for Electronics and Computer Technology under the supervision of the District Skill Development and Employment Officer, Balangir, along with forest officials.

Officials said the initiative is part of a broader strategy to build a skilled workforce aligned with industry needs while improving socio-economic conditions in rural areas. Plans are underway to expand the programme to cover more beneficiaries in the coming phases across Odisha.