With the aim to achieve better socio-economic conditions for today’s youth as a means of addressing the challenges of unemployment and underemployment, J&K Skill Development Mission, Wednesday, celebrated World Youth Skills Day with the theme “skills for a resilient youth”.
The importance of developing skilled youth was at the core of this year’s message for World Youth Skills Day (WYSD) focused on the theme “Skills for a Resilient Youth”.
Keeping in view the current situation due to Covid-19 pandemic, J&K Skill Development Mission (JKSDM) organised webinars on various topics related to skill development and entrepreneurship to observe this year’s WYSD.
Principal Secretary to the Government, Education Department and Skill Development Department Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon (IAS) presided over the inaugural session of the webinar which was attended by Director Industries and Commerce Department, Jammu, Director, Skill Development Department, J&K, Director Industries and Commerce Department, Kashmir, Mission Director JKSDM, Principals of all ITI’s and Polytechnic Colleges, renowned industry experts, noted academicians, skill training providers and students enrolled in various skill training institutions under JKSDM.
While inaugurating the program, Dr. Samoon said, “This day is observed to highlight the importance of acquiring new skills. Our aim is to provide adequate training in market relevant skills to youth. We need to create opportunities for the gainful employment of youth and improve overall scope of underdeveloped sectors.”
Divulging details about the career options in service and manufacturing sector, Director Industries & Commerce Department, Kashmir Mahmood Ahmad Shah said, “We have to focus on achieving more synergy between academic/technical institutions, local unit holders and outside industries to address the huge gap in supply and demand in the market.”
Highlighting the role of industries department in providing job opportunities to the youth, Director Industries & Commerce Department, Jammu Anoo Malhotra said, “Local industry needs to be connected with the big markets outside J&K.”
Emphasizing on the importance of learning new skills, Director, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, GoI Rajnish Kumar Gupta said, “Proficiency in soft skills is a requisite for current job market and the youth should come forward and avail such courses at different skill imparting institutions established across J&K.”
While providing details about latest developments in the field of skill development, Director, Skill Development Department, J&K Sajad Hussain Ganai said, “We are trying our level best to provide quality skill training to the youth and in this regard, process of hiring consultancy service has been initiated for designing, developing and re-alignment of our skills courses with the jobs available in the market.”