The cluster level competitions being held under India Skills Competition- J&K, 2018 concluded at Jammu and Srinagar with candidates participating from all the districts of the state in the identified 12 skill categories.These shortlisted candidates from the cluster competitions will be participating in the state level skill competition, to be held in the first week of May, 2018. It is the first time that a team of skilled candidates will get a chance to participate in the regional and national skill competitions leading up to the World Skills Competition, Russia- 2019.The J&K Skill Development Mission (JKSDM) in collaboration with its partnering institutions NIT- Srinagar, IHM -Srinagar, Central University, Jammu, NIELIT, SSMD-Baramulla and Arena Animation will be providing training and guidance to selected candidates for the next levels of the skill competition.Pertinently, World Skills Competition, considered as the Skills Olympics, is held every alternate year in different countries. At the most recent event, World Skills Competition, 2017 held at Abu Dhabi, there were competitions in 51 skills areas with about 1,300 young people taking part and India bagged one silver and bronze medal along with 11 medallions of excellence. The next competition is scheduled to be held at Kazan, Russia in 2019.Mission Director, JKSDM, Dr. Peer G.N. Suhail, while speaking about the competetions, said, “We are satisfied with the performance of the candidates. It is the first time such kind of program is being organized in J&K and is a good opportunity for the candidates to showcase their skill.”Professor Saad Parvez, Head (IIED Centre)-NIT-Srinagar and Technical Coordinator, India Skills Competition- J&K-2018, said ‘We will leave no stone unturned in providing the best guidance to the aspirants. Our underlying motive is to boost the skill development programs in J&K.”