Union Minister for Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan, emphasized the necessity of a skilled and proficient workforce to propel India’s development journey forward in the 21st century.
Pradhan, who inaugurated the Skill India Centre, stressed the importance of a skilled and competent workforce during the inauguration ceremony of the country’s first Skill India Center (SIC) in Sambalpur, Odisha.
Addressing the audience, the Union Minister highlighted that new-age and future skills are often available at significantly higher costs in global markets. Therefore, the government aims to democratize access to quality education and establish a level playing field for aspiring youth.
“The introduction of low-cost courses at the center will empower a large number of youth and integrate them into the evolving job market,” stated Pradhan.
He further mentioned that by leading skill training programs in new-age job roles, the government will enhance the skill sets of the ‘Amrit Peedhi’ in demand-driven industries. Additionally, the SIC aims to empower over 1200 students.
According to Pradhan, the Skill India Center will equip a vast majority of the young populace with employable skills in demand-driven trades, thereby creating an industry-ready workforce, promoting entrepreneurship, and strengthening the skilling ecosystem.
Furthermore, the center will provide training in high-demand areas such as Media and Entertainment, Leather, Tourism & Hospitality, and IT-ITeS.
The inauguration ceremony was also attended by Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary at the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), and Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO of NSDC and MD of NSDC International, as per a press release issued by the NSDC.
The SIC is equipped with best-in-class infrastructure, cutting-edge technologies, and modern facilities to enable youth to acquire skills needed for success in their respective fields. The curriculum, designed in collaboration with industry experts, will be aligned with changing industry needs to promote standardization and create employment opportunities.
The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) will designate a Centre Manager to monitor the implementation of training programs, ensure adherence to quality standards, and oversee the overall functioning of the Center.
Following the inauguration in Sambalpur, more Skill India Centers are scheduled to be inaugurated in Odisha’s Angul, Bhadrak, Dhenkanal, Talcher, and Deogarh.
