Bhubaneswar: The fourth graduation ceremony of the World Skill Center (WSC), a premier global skilling facility established by the Odisha state government, was held in Bhubaneswar on Monday. Minister of Industries, Skill Development, and Technical Education, Sampad Chandra Swain, graced the occasion as the chief guest, congratulating the students who successfully completed their training in the 2023-24 batch.
In his address, Swain emphasized the state government’s commitment to empowering youth under the ‘Skilled In Odisha’ vision. He noted that the government is focusing on augmenting skill development programs to help young people realize their full potential and succeed in innovation-driven fields. “Initiatives like setting up Centers of Excellence in welding and launching the ‘Nano Unicorn’ program will not only upskill the youth of Odisha but also inspire an entrepreneurial spirit among them,” said Swain.
During the ceremony, the Minister inaugurated the Center of Excellence in Welding at the WSC premises and launched the ‘Nano Unicorn’ program, aimed at promoting grassroots entrepreneurship. The program will provide Rs. 1 lakh seed funding to aspiring entrepreneurs to help them establish their enterprises.
The ceremony celebrated the achievements of the best students across various courses. Outstanding students from the School of Engineering and School of Services were recognized as ‘Best Trainee’ in their respective fields. Additionally, gold, silver, and bronze medals were awarded to top performers in each trade. A total of 21 students were honored for their excellence.
NBS Rajput, Principal Secretary of the Department of Skill Development and Technical Education, also attended the event as a special guest. He congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to leverage their industry-ready skills to build successful careers. “Our graduates are securing placements with national and international companies, with the 100% placement success in the vertical transportation course being a prime example,” said Rajput. He added that more initiatives are in the pipeline to further elevate the skills of Odisha’s youth.
VV Kamath, Managing Director of Fronius India, also attended the event and shared his thoughts on industry collaboration for skill development. Senior representatives from major companies, including Tata Strive, AM/NS, Pollutech, and Aroma Group, among others, were present to witness the graduation and offer their support to the skilled graduates.
Rashmita Panda, CEO of Odisha Skill Development Authority and World Skill Center, delivered the welcome address, wishing the graduates success in their future endeavors. T. Thambyrajah, Principal of World Skill Center, proposed the vote of thanks at the conclusion of the ceremony.
The World Skill Center, under the ‘Skilled in Odisha’ initiative, is part of the state’s efforts to develop a skilled workforce for the future. The center provides advanced and industry-relevant training to youth, offering them employment opportunities in leading national and international companies. The successful completion of the program demonstrates Odisha’s commitment to building a skilled and employable workforce, in line with the state’s vision for a ‘Viksit Odisha’.
