A two-day workshop on “orientation and best practices” for Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) organised by Himayat in collaboration with NABARD Consultancy Services (NABCONS) concluded here today. The workshop was attended by over 100 representatives from different PIAs. The Secretary to Government, Department of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, J&K, Sheetal Nanda, was chief guest at the concluding function. Chief Operating Officer, Himayat, Kapil Sharma, CGM, NABARD, Bala Chandran and other officers were also present.The workshop, which began on December 11, 2019, aimed at sharing views, best practices and experiences on important issues of mobilisation, counselling, training, placement and retention of candidates espoused by the PIAs to achieve the best results. Delineating the purpose of the workshop, the Secretary stated, “It provided a great opportunity to learn from each other by sharing the best practices among each other.”She further asked the PIAs to “impart best training to all the candidates so that they can be productive for themselves and for the society as well.”Chief Operating Officer, Himayat, Kapil Sharma expressed gratitude to all the participants representing various Project Implementing Agencies, for attending the workshop.The workshop also provided platform to several candidates, who have been placed by the PIAs after getting suitable and quality training from these agencies. These youngsters, hailing from remote and nondescript villages of Jammu and Kashmir, thanked the Department for providing them training, employment, dignity and an opportunity to stand on their own feet. During the workshop, the Secretary also released a booklet titled “Bugle: Sounding Success” which captures the inspiring journey of the candidates successfully trained and placed in the corporate sector.Himayat is a Skill Development-cum-Placement programme for unemployed youth especially school and college drop-outs, in Jammu and Kashmir. The focus is on placements of youth commensurate with the level of education and aspiration of youth.