Sambalpur: To enhance employability of young graduates in Odisha, Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan, officially launched Project ODISERV today in Sambalpur. The initiative, a collaboration between the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and Bajaj Finserv Ltd., aims to prepare graduates for lucrative opportunities in the financial services sector.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Pradhan expressed his optimism about Project ODISERV empowering the youth of Odisha and fulfilling their career aspirations. He emphasized the importance of aligning education with skill development, citing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 as a catalyst for creating a more job-ready workforce.
Shri Pradhan lauded the success of Project ODISERV, revealing that 1100 students in Odisha had already undergone training, with several securing job offers on the day of the launch. He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his vision in making India’s youth industry-ready and highlighted the initiative as a testament to successful industry-academia collaboration.
The 100-hour training program under Project ODISERV is designed to equip the youth of Odisha with essential skills needed in the banking, finance, and insurance sectors. Shri Sanjiv Bajaj, Chairman & Managing Director of Bajaj Finserv, emphasized the pivotal role skilling plays in India’s journey towards becoming the world’s third-largest economy. He discussed the success of the Certificate Programme for Banking Finance & Insurance (CPBFI) in filling talent gaps and contributing to increased family incomes for program participants.
Project ODISERV is the inaugural skill development initiative resulting from the partnership between NSDC and Bajaj Finserv, announced in December 2023. The initiative will roll out the CPBFI program in 60 colleges across Odisha, covering 11 cities and 10 districts. Notable colleges participating include Bhuban Women’s Degree College, Mathakaragola Degree College, Sambalpur University, and SCS College.
The partnership with NSDC will extend the CPBFI program to 22 states across India, encompassing over 400 colleges. The goal is to initially enhance the capabilities of 20,000 candidates through the 100-hour program, aligning it with the ever-evolving landscape of finance, banking, and insurance.
Project ODISERV will not only provide skill training but will also foster collaborations with banks, financial institutions, and insurance companies to offer internships and on-the-job training opportunities. The partnership’s elevation on the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) aims to provide comprehensive information on government-led skilling and entrepreneurship initiatives, ensuring students are well-equipped for success in the financial sector.
With Odisha’s aspiration to become a hub for entrepreneurship and startups, Project ODISERV stands as a critical initiative to bridge the skill gap and prepare a future-ready workforce for the state.
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