Principal Secretary, Skill Development Department (SDD), Dr. Asgar Hassan Samoon, today convened a meeting with senior officers to review functioning of India International Skill Centre, Heritage Skill Development Institute, Craft Development Institute and Food Craft Institution.Principal Secretary asked the concerned officers to take all necessary measures for smooth functioning of these institutions and provide quality training to aspirants enabling them earn their livelihood with dignity.Dr Samoon directed the concerned authorities to follow up guidelines issued by Union Ministry of Tourism regarding working of these institutes. He asked them to tie up with the tourism department for conduct of exposure programmes so that the students participating in the related courses get necessary training and due exposure.Mission Director, Skill Development Mission, Dr Syed Abid Rashid Shah asked the concerned authorities of SDD to provide add on courses as offered by Mission for generating employment as the said courses are market driven therefore guarantying placements soon after course completion.Dr Abid also stressed upon the concerned authorities to facilitate the youth of Jammu and Kashmir in making them skilled, coherent with the industrial standards.
Director, Skill Development Department, Sajad Hussain Ganai briefed the meeting regarding establishment of Heritage Development Institute and India International Skill Centre for implementation of heritage related courses which are specific to J&K Skill Training Certification on International Standards. He informed that in order to preserve the rich heritage of Art and Craft of Jammu and Kashmir we are running traditional courses like weaving, crewel embroidery, wood crafting, wood carving, silver ware work, Paper machie, Phoolkari arts, Basohli shawl weaving, Basohli painting, metal ware, brass and copper crafts and bamboo works.Earlier, Principal Food Craft Institute, Jammu, briefed the meeting about the functioning and purpose of creation of Food Craft Institution. He said that the institution is dedicated to impart quality education and training programme in the field of hospitality management to prepare globally competitive professionals.The meeting was attended by Special Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Tariq Ahmed Zargar; Director Finance, Skill Development besides representatives of Industries and Commerce, GAD, Law, Tourism and other departments.