Principal Secretary, Skill Development Department, Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon, today chaired a meeting to review implementation of District Skill Development Plans under centrally sponsored scheme Skill Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP).Principal Secretary discussed the steps to be taken up to strengthen institutional mechanism for skill development besides increasing access to quality and market relevant training for youth in Jammu and Kashmir.He called upon the concerned to address the ongoing challenges like bringing about convergence, infusing quality in skill development programs and making them market relevant and accessible while ensuring private participation in the context of short term training.
He also underlined the importance of establishing placement cells in all ITIs and Polytechnics of J&K. He impressed upon all the skill implementing departments to coordinate with J&K Skill Development Mission in strengthening the skill ecosystem in the Union Territory.Principal Secretary directed all the Deputy Commissioners to share the district plans regarding skill development projects with SDD through e-office so that projects could be completed successfully. He also directed the concerned to establish a one stop skill training centre in ITIs or Polytechnic of each district, where any individual get information regarding all courses and skill training programme.Principal Secretary also asked for completion all the construction works being executed in polytechnics and ITIs within situated time frame.The meeting was attended by Director SDD, Sudershan Kumar; Professor Muqbil Burhan, IIM, Jammu besides all Deputy Commissioners of both divisions while Director Industries Jammu, all Principals and Superintendents of ITIs, other concerned officials participated through video conferencing.