Union Minister Nitin Gadkari Visits World Skill Center in Bhubaneswar, Lauds Odisha’s Push for Youth Empowerment

Bhubaneswar: In a move underscoring the importance of skill development in shaping India’s future workforce, Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari on Thursday visited the World Skill Center (WSC) in Bhubaneswar during his tour of Odisha. The Minister commended the State Government for establishing a world-class facility that is providing industry-relevant training to youth.

Accompanied by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Gadkari toured the ultra-modern infrastructure at the WSC, including cutting-edge laboratories for Vertical Transportation, Advanced Welding, Automation, and Basic Robotics. He interacted with students, learning about their training experiences and future career goals.

Expressing satisfaction with the center’s offerings, Gadkari noted, “The World Skill Center is playing a crucial role in shaping a skilled workforce that meets global standards. It is heartening to see such facilities preparing the youth for employment both within the country and abroad.”

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi welcomed the Union Minister and felicitated him during the visit. The CM reaffirmed the state’s commitment to enhancing skill development initiatives and creating a future-ready workforce.

State Minister for Skill Development & Technical Education, Sampad Chandra Swain, emphasized the growing relevance of vocational training under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said, “The World Skill Center is a major step forward. With state-of-the-art training, our students are securing opportunities globally. Odisha is steadily gaining a reputation as a hub for skill excellence.”

The visit was marked by the presence of several dignitaries, including Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi, Khordha MLA Prashant Jagadev, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of Skill Development & Technical Education Bhupendra Singh Poonia, IAS, and CEO of WSC & Odisha Skill Development Authority, Rashmita Panda, IAS.

Also in attendance were Chief Skills Officer Bruce Poh, Additional Secretary and COO of WSC Pinaki Patnaik, Principal T Thambyrajah, and Deputy Principal Jeetamitra Satpathy, who guided the Union Minister through the various centers of excellence.

Bridging Education and Employment

The World Skill Center stands as a testament to Odisha’s growing focus on aligning education with industry needs. Through hands-on, high-tech training, the center is equipping students with skills that not only ensure employability but also foster innovation and entrepreneurship.