One Day National Conference on Skill Enhancement Courses & Employment Generation (SECEG-2017) was organized by the Department of Chemistry at the Auditorium of GDC Kathua here today in which Minister for Forests, Environment and Ecology Ch. Lal Singh was chief guest.Former Dean Life Sciences, University of Jammu, Dr. M K Jyoti was the guest of honor.After releasing the Abstract Book on one-day National Conference, Lal Singh said that productive and formal employment generation depends on the availability of an adequately skilled labour force, adding that this can be achieved through sustained investments in skills development and fostering oportunities for decent job creation through entrepreneurship.The Minister said that to close skill deficit and increase employability, a range of policies and strategies are framed by the Central as well as State Government to address work-relevant education systems, career guidance, life-skills, and technical, vocational education and training schemes, along with on-the-job training in both formal and informal sectors.Underlining several initiatives launched by the present dispensation to provide skill development training and enhancing the employability of unemployed youth, the Minister said that these schemes should be discussed with students in colleges so that opportunities, space and scope for the development of the talents of the youth can be created.
He further said that J&K has unique requirement in skill based training depending on the natural resources, industry and native trades.He affirmed that the government has embarked on skill development missions to meet the aspirations of youth through training, enhance employability and employment. Several training partners, academic institutions and vocational training centers are actively involved in a range of programs that enable livelihoods, increase productivity and income levels of people in the state, he added.The Minister also appreciated the efforts of the Department of Chemistry in organising a National Conference on a very important topic.Principal, Prof Kartar Chand assured that this National Conference shall provide information to the students and faculty regarding job opportunities to be created due to skill enhancement courses.
He also said that deliberations during the conference shall prove fruitful for all the participants.Speaking on various skill enhancement courses introduced by UGC for undergraduate classes he provided details of various sub-themes which shall be effective for creation of better employment opportunities.He further added that the qualified graduates with sound knowledge of core discipline and expertise in a concerned skill will have more openings in service, industry and self-employment sectors.Convener, Prof SumaneshJasrotia gave detailed account of the conference and the profile of GDC Kathua.Among others Prof Kamal Kapoor of Department of Chemistry, University of Jammu, Delegates, Principals, Professors and students in large numbers, Research Scholars, Prominent citizens and DFOs were present on the occasion.