Tripura hosts workshop on skill development

AGARTALA, March 18: Emphasizing on enhancing skills of the youth and encouraging entrepreneurship, a day-long workshop on ‘Skill Development’ and ‘Opportunities in Tripura’ was organized recently in Agartala by the Directorate of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (NSDC).

The event was held at Prag Bhawan with an aim to bring closer multiple stakeholders like trainees, training agencies and certifying agencies and remove disconnect between demand and supply of skilled manpower.

The workshop on skill development opportunities was organized to harness the potential of youth in the northeast by providing them with right guidance and employment opportunities.

Apart from representatives of the state government, officials from the NSDC, renowned Indian hair stylist Jawed Habib, CSR Tata Motors head Vinod Kulkarni, Usha Intertiol Ltd Executive Director Dr. Priya Somiya and Kushal Mitra, Director and CEO Indus, attended the workshop.

The state has set up a separate directorate after the Central Government announced ‘Skill India Mission’.

“The government of Tripura is very committed for skill development because there are large numbers of youths looking for employment. Earlier, government of Tripura had self-employed scheme. After the government of India also launched several other schemes so we formed a separate department to form synergy and coordition among several departments and implementing the skill development program,” said M. garaju, principal secretary, Industries and Commerce.

Tripura’s target is to develop skills and create jobs for around 1.12 lakh youth of the state in various sectors by the next fiscal.

During the workshop, a tripartite memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Directorate of Skill Development in Tripura, Indus and certifying agencies.

Several training partners have set up training centres in the state to educate and encourage the youth to avail of the scheme. Most of these partners have classrooms-cum-labs for hands-on training.

“I think there is a great deal of opportunity in our country today as far as sewing and stitching is concerned. Women start earning a lot of money around sewing and stitching without leaving their households. Distress migration is also affected and they don’t have to go larger towns and cities and they will start sewing and stitching from their households,” said Rajiv Kumar, Training Partner from Usha Intertiol.

“I have completed my graduation and now I am doing training for CCE. This is a great opportunity for my career and I want to effectively use it for my benefit,” said Sanjit Debbarma, a trainee.

Skill development programmes in the northeast help the youngsters earn a decent livelihood. It also boosts the state’s economy besides shaping the country’s future with skilled manpower. (ANI)