Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Inaugurates Skill India Centre in Sambalpur

Sambalpur: Union Minister for Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan, inaugurated India’s first Skill India Centre (SIC) in Sambalpur on Tuesday. The SIC aims to democratize access to quality education and create a level playing field for the youth by offering low-cost courses in high-demand job roles.

Addressing the youth at the event, Minister Pradhan emphasized the need for a skilled and competent workforce to drive India’s development in the 21st century. He stated, “The new-age and future skills are available at a 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 Skill India Centre is designed to enhance the skill set of the youth in demand-driven industries such as Media & Entertainment, Leather, Tourism & Hospitality, and IT-ITeS. The initiative aims to empower over 1200 students through this centre by spearheading skill training programs in new-age job roles.

The SIC boasts best-in-class infrastructure, cutting-edge technologies, and modern facilities, providing a conducive learning environment. This center will empower youth with industry-specific skills through a unique combination of classroom and work-based learning. It will play a pivotal role in designing a curriculum aligned with changing industry needs, promoting standardization, and creating employment opportunities.

Collaborative efforts are being made to harness the potential of demographic dividends, catalyze rural development, nurture local entrepreneurship, and spur socio-economic growth. The SIC will open avenues for individuals to pursue education, acquire new skills, and create employment linkages.

The comprehensive training programs at the Centre will expose 240 youth to best practices, new methodologies, and emerging trends across job roles such as graphic designer, storyboard artist, and food and beverage services associate. To ensure seamless implementation, the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) will designate a Centre Manager responsible for monitoring training programs, ensuring adherence to quality standards, and overall center functioning.

Following the Sambalpur inauguration, upcoming Skill India Centres in Odisha are scheduled to be inaugurated in Angul, Bhadrak, Dhenkanal, Talcher, and Deogarh. Each SIC in Odisha aims to address the specific skill needs of high economic growth sectors, driving regional development and creating sustainable employment opportunities.