District Employment & Counselling Centre (DE&CC), Shopian, today organized a one-day Job Fair at its premises under the theme "One Platform for Employment and Entrepreneurship", aimed at connecting unemployed youth with prospective employers and expanding employment opportunities across the district.
The event was inaugurated by the District Development Commissioner (DDC) Shopian, Shishir Gupta, in the presence of ADDC Shopian, Dr.Nasir Ahmad Lone and officers from various departments, representatives of participating companies, and a large number of aspiring job seekers.
The Job Fair witnessed an overwhelming response, with more than 500 unemployed youth from across the district participating in the recruitment drive cum awareness event. Around 20 reputed companies and institutions representing diverse sectors took part in the event, including Idigi Academy Pvt. Ltd., Pitman Institute Shopian, WEPS Soft Skill Centre, IQU Info Tech Pvt. Ltd., Al Fatima Tour & Travel, Umeed Nursing College, Umeed International Group, Think and Win Technologies, NIIT Foundation, and several other organizations.
In addition to recruitment activities, stalls established by various line departments showcased a range of government schemes aimed at supporting unemployed youth. The initiative helped create awareness about livelihood opportunities, skill development programmes, self-employment initiatives, and socio-economic empowerment schemes available to eligible beneficiaries.
Addressing the participants, the DDC underscored the importance of such initiatives in bridging the gap between job seekers and employers. He encouraged youth to actively explore emerging career opportunities and make full use of platforms being created for their professional growth.
He urged young people to take advantage of employment and self-employment schemes and emphasized the need to broaden their horizons, adapt to evolving job market demands, and align their skills with emerging opportunities to enhance their employability and long-term career prospects.
Assistant Director, Employment, Dr. Nida Yousuf, also addressed the gathering and encouraged youth to register on the J&K Employment Portal, which has been integrated with the National Career Service Portal. She informed the participants that the platform offers a range of free services, including online career counselling, video resume creation, skill training programmes, job matching services, and notifications regarding vacancies in both the public and private sectors across the country.
Under Mission YUVA, the DDC also handed over keys of commercial vehicles among beneficiaries and distributed sanction letters among 10 aspiring entrepreneurs approved under the scheme. The programme further featured counselling sessions conducted by the SBDU/BHD/Motivators of Mission YUVA, who guided unemployed youth on establishing income-generating enterprises and encouraged them to pursue entrepreneurship and self-reliance through the Mission YUVA Scheme.