Himachal CM Stresses on short term self-employment courses

Shimla, January 1, 2017: Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh while presiding over the 3rd meeting of Board of Directors of Himachal Pradesh Kaushal Vikas Nigam, on Saturday evening, emphasized upon preparing training schedules of short term training courses viz: training in preparing bakery products, of beauty parlors, barbers, plumbers, electricians, running saw mills, welders, fitters, tyre puncture etc so that the youth could avail self employment opportunities.

Chief Minster said that the Nigam should also set up Tool Rooms, on the analogy of the one set up in Baddi, equipped with all type of machines so that the unemployed youth could be trained as per requirement of industrial houses. He said that instead of eight training service providers, the officers of the Nigam should tie up with more small and micro industrial houses and give training as per need of the industries, so that the youth could straight away land up in jobs after completion of training.

Sh. Virbhadra repeatedly stressed on short term plans so as to pick up the youth immediately after completion of short term training courses by entrepreneurs.

He said that ‘On Job Training’ (OJT) with good hotels in hospitality sector would be fruitful enough. The training in hospitality sectors should be such that the youth firstly could learn the discipline and how to render quality service to the customers. Besides, training in housekeeping, Food and Beverage, Front office can be of great help for immediate placement.

It was also disclosed that under Rs. 500 crore Skill Development Allowance Scheme, as slight different from the Nigam, as many as 1,51,708 youth were provided allowance to the tune of Rs 1,09,37,41,854. Both the schemes aim at enhancing the skills of the youth to make them employable and create self-employment opportunities. It was also disclosed that under the Skill development allowance scheme, in the year 2013 benefit was given to 42,077 people, 31,689 persons were enrolled in 2014-15. In the year 2015-16, the number was 40532 and till November, 2016 (in the fiscal 2016-17), as many as 37,410 youth were enrolled under the Skill development allowance scheme.

Direction were issued to concentrate on those who have completed their education and searching for jobs and to provide training to those who have completed their education and looking for self-employment options.

Chief Minister also stressed upon upgrading the existing Industrial Training Institutes in the State and to equip them with latest machines and tools. “It should be the priority of the Nigam to equip the ITI’s with latest tools”, he said. The Chief Minster also directed for checking with the industrial houses the enrollment of youth in Industries as per the 70 percent norms fixed by the State Government.

Chief Minister expressed displeasure over the delay in selection of land for setting up Centre of Skill Excellence in Shimla, and directed to identify the land within ten days and seek permission of the government as earlier as possible. Approval was accorded to give bi-monthly charges of mobiles to the field officers.

Transport and Technical Education Minister, Shri GS Bali also stressed for speeding up the functioning of the Nigam. He said that the Nigam instead of selecting the trades like in Health care, retail, life science, textiles should be stress upon in providing training in short modules in driving heavy machinery, earth movers, cranes, welding, Bull-dozers etc. Such training would be quite useful in providing instant jobs to the trainers.

Industries Minister Shri Mukesh Agnihotri, stressed upon training in Pharma sectors. He also stressed upon speeding up the work of the Nigam. He said that short term training modules would be effective enough if provided as per the needs of the industrial houses after consultation with the industrial houses and their needs.

Earlier, managing Director, of the Kaushal Vikas Nigam, Shri Rajesh Sharma, while welcoming the Chief Minister, said that the eight training service providers had been tied up with for giving training to the youth. He said that the Nigam has got the clearance for starting vocational courses in 12 colleges of the state from next academic session. Sh. Sharma also gave presentation on Aspiration and demand estimation survey conducted by the Nigam.

State Youth Congress President Shri Vikramaditya Singh, Chief Secretary Shri VC. Pharka, Additional chief Secretary Dr Srikant Baldi, Advisor Planning Shri Rakesh Sharma, Secretary Education Shri Rakesh Kumar, Labour Commissioner Shri Himanshu Shekhar Chaudhary, were also present on the occasion amongst others.