Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani today here chaired a review meeting with the concerned Department and the Himachal Pradesh Technical Education Board, Dharamshala. He said that the state government’s main aim was to ensure that youth have access to high-quality skill training and were empowered with industry-oriented, modern and future-ready skills.
To support this an Innovation fund of rupees two crore has been set up to promote youth innovations. This initiative would help strengthen the start-up ecosystem in the state. He said that the youth of Himachal were full of new ideas and effective steps were being taken to encourage them towards becoming entrepreneurs.
Sh. Dharmani said that a future-focused technical education system was being developed in line with global industrial demands. Keeping in mind emerging technologies and the changing global job market, students would be equipped with digital skills to prepare them for the future.
He further said that the government was laying emphasis on strengthening the rural economy. According to the needs of the state, new courses related to horticulture, natural farming and dairy technology were being introduced in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).
He said that there was a vast potential for innovation in the biopharma sector in the state and he stressed the need to make the best use of opportunities in this field. Rajesh Dharmani directed the Technical Education Board to design courses according to market demand.
He said that strong industry linkages and apprenticeship programmes would be run to improve employability and promote entrepreneurship among young people. In addition, a new scholarship scheme would be introduced especially for girls.
The Minister said that hackathons and skill competitions were being organised in government and private technical institutions across the state. These events provide young people with a platform to showcase their talents. Grading of government and private ITIs and polytechnic institutions in the state was also being carried out.
He suggested that the success stories of successful entrepreneurs from the state should be included in academic curricula to inspire students. Trainees from government technical institutions were performing excellently at the national level.
The Minister said that the department was working in coordination with various institutions to enhance skills of the youth. HIMUDA would organise training programmes for students studying in technical institutions and resource persons from the Industries Department would motivate young people to set up their own enterprises.
He said that in this age of information technology, the department and the Board must ensure the best use of IT in their functioning. AI-related programmes should also be included in the curriculum. He said that the Board has launched a special grievance portal for students.