With the aim to achieve better socio-economic conditions for today’s youth as a means of addressing the challenges of unemployment and under employment, J&K Skill Development Mission, today, 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, School Education & Skill Development, Dr. Asgar Hassan Samoon presided over the inaugural session of the webinar which was attended by Director Industries & Commerce Department, Jammu, Director, Skill Development Department, J&K, Director Industries & 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 Mr. 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. There are many sectors in J&K such as horticulture, power etc wherein there is demand of skilled manpower and for that we have to train our youth for performing such jobs.”
Highlighting the role of industries department in providing job opportunities to the youth, Director Industries & Commerce Department, Jammu Ms. Anoo Malhotra said, “Local industry needs to be connected with the big markets outside J&K. Industries & Commerce Department and Skill Development Department should work closely to prepare youth for skilled jobs which are in demand and where maximum trained youth can get avail job opportunities.”Stressing on the role of manufacturing sector in creation of jobs, prominent industrialist & Chairman, AB Group of Companies Mr. Annil Suri emphasized on giving attention to the manufacturing industries and said, “It is the manufacturing sector that creates and improves service sector, and both these sectors are the leading job providers in the market. Though, cost of production is more in J&K, the manufacturing sector requires a boost from the government”.Emphasizing on the importance of learning new skills, Director, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, GoI Mr. Rajnish Kumar Gupta said, “Not just in technical capabilities such as understanding emerging technologies such as internet of things, artificial intelligence etc, 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.”Underlining the importance of creating value chain and human capital development, Executive Director, World Trade Centre, India Ms. Khair Ull Nissa Shah said, “We have to align the local skill courses with the national and international standards so that our trained youth can compete for the jobs available in the competitive job market. We need to focus on innovation and policy advocacy for enhancing skill landscape in J&K.”While providing details about latest developments in the field of skill development, Director, Skill Development Department, 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.”The sessions were followed by deliberations on topics related to skill development & entrepreneurship. Program ended with vote of thanks delivered by Mission Director, JKSDM.