In order to empowering the youth with employable skills, Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan, inaugurated the first Skill India Centre (SIC) of the country in Sambalpur, Odisha. The ceremony saw the presence of Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Atul Kumar Tiwari; CEO, NSDC and MD, NSDC International Ved Mani Tiwari; along with other dignitaries.
Addressing the gathering of enthusiastic youth, Pradhan emphasized the importance of upgrading the skills of the Amrit Peedhi (youth generation) to meet the demands of modern industries. The Skill India Centre aims to empower over 1200 students by offering training programs in new-age job roles. He also highlighted the necessity for a skilled workforce in India’s development journey, especially in the 21st century where new and future skills are crucial for progress.
‘India requires a skilled and competent workforce to propel its development journey forward in the 21st century. The new-age and future skills are available at considerably higher costs in global markets, and realizing this, it has been envisioned to democratize access to quality education and establish a level-playing field for the aspiring youth,’ Pradhan stated.
Aligning with Government’s vision of empowering youth with new-age skills, the Centre will equip a vast majority of young individuals with employable skills in demand-driven trades. This initiative aims to create an industry-ready workforce, encourage entrepreneurship, and strengthen the skilling ecosystem, acting as a catalyst for prosperity.
The Skill India Centre in Sambalpur is designed to offer training in trades that are high in demand, such as Media & Entertainment, Leather, Tourism & Hospitality, and IT-ITeS. It emphasizes a unique combination of classroom and work-based learning, creating a conducive environment for youth to acquire industry-specific skills.
Equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure, cutting-edge technologies, and modern facilities, the Centre aims to catalyze the demand for formal skills and enable youth to succeed in their respective fields. Collaborative efforts are being made to harness the potential of demographic dividends, catalyze rural development, nurture local entrepreneurship, and spur socio-economic growth.
‘The Centre will play a pivotal role in designing curriculum with industry experts, promoting standardization, and creating employment opportunities that meet the demand for skilled talent across industries,’ Minister affirmed.
To ensure seamless implementation of the training ecosystem, the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) will designate a Centre Manager to monitor training programs’ implementation and ensure adherence to quality standards.
Following the inauguration of the Sambalpur centre, upcoming Skill India Centres are scheduled to be inaugurated in Angul, Bhadrak, Dhenkanal, Talcher, and Deogarh in Odisha. Each Centre aims to address the specific skill needs of high economic growth sectors, thereby driving regional development and creating sustainable employment opportunities.
Earlier this year, the Union Minister launched the Kaushal Rath initiative, designed to provide skill training and certification to aspiring candidates across Odisha’s Sambalpur, Angul, and Deogarh districts. The initiative has already trained 4000 candidates in various course modules, fostering digital literacy, retail, entrepreneurial skills, and inclusive growth in the region.
