Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh presiding over the meeting of the Board of Directors of Himachal Pradesh Kaushal Vikas Nigam at Shimla on 12 May 2016 Stress on expanding scope of skill development to cover more youth Site for Women Polytechnic in Rehan finalized 25 Multipurpose Rural Marketing and Training Centers to be set up Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh while presiding over the 2nd Meeting of the Board of Directors of Himachal Pradesh Kaushal Vikas Nigam here today, directed to incorporate the common skills such as driving, motor mechanic, steno typist and other common courses like that of electrician, fitter etc, apart from those as already prescribed, under the Nigam. These skills being more adaptable for employment, would suit the needs of the industries and make the youth ‘Market Ready’ resulting in boosting their employment as well as self employment prospects.
He said that the soft skill development of youth which includes communication skills, language and behaviour should also be a part of the skill development courses so as to make the youth meet the challenges at various stages, adding that the Nigam should now speed up the process of functioning to make its presence felt besides benefiting the unemployed youth.He said that the skill development should be extended from passing out students from higher secondary schools to school drop-outs, un-skilled workers, unemployed, women, differently- abled and other disadvantageous or marginalized groups to make the State, Skill Capital of India.The Kaushal Vikas Nigam envisages to train 65,000 youth and make them employable besides up-gradation of equipment in more than 51 Industrial training Institutes (ITIs).Approval was given to shortlist 16 colleges for Bachelor of Vocational Programme in two pilot sectors i.e. Retail and Hospitality and site for Women Polytechnic has been finalized in Rehan in district Kangra which is to be funded by Asian development Bank to impart training to 900 students during the intervention period, besides setting up of 25 Multipurpose Rural Marketing and Training Centers for youth.
It was also decided to run flagship National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) wherein aligned training programme to train 52000 youth and to establish state wide Logistics Management and Information System. The NSQF level 5 & 6 vocational training would be extended to 8-10 polytechnics covering 4800 youth.
It was also approved to set up Centre of Skill Excellence in Shimla and sign MoU with 18 industrial bodies to deliver quality skill training and professional knowledge to the youth of Himachal Pradesh so as to enhance the employability and bridge the skill deficit to meet market demand of skilled manpower.Transport and Technical Education Minister, Shri G.S. Bali, who was also present in the meeting advised to provide apprenticeship to the youth for six-six months in various industries so that they can also get absorbed in the units where they undergoing apprenticeship training. The Minister said that the target set up by the Nigam could be reached easily by the way of apprenticeship. He directed to create a prioritized road map for skill development, training, employment for all sections of society.Shri Rajesh Sharma, MD, HP Kaushal Vikas Nigam earlier welcomed the Chief Minister and gave a detailed presentation of the key outcomes envisaged and activities completed till date.Director, BoD Himachal Pradesh Kaushal Vikas Nigam, Shri Vikramaditya Singh, Chief Secretary, Shri P. Mitra, Additional Chief Secretaries, Dr. Shrikant Baldi, Shri PC, Dhiman, Shri RD. Dhiman, Shri Sanjeev Gupta, Special Secretary Finance, Shri Akshay Sood were also present on the occasion amongst others.