Bhubaneswar: The second day of the Odisha Skill Conclave on Friday focused on chalking out a roadmap for the state to become a leading skilling hub in the world.
The day started with the session titled, ‘Making India the Skill Capital of the World’ that deliberated on the role of international facilitators and partners in supporting the creation of an internationally benchmarked Indian workforce and international internships and the role of international Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) providers.
Sanjay Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary, Rural Development Department, said, “Odisha is the rising land of skilling in India, the skill capital of India and the aspiring skill capital of the world. We take pride in the skilling ecosystem we have in the state and the way it has been globally benchmarked. Diversification will play a crucial role in the future and we seek to ensure that Odisha offers the opportunity to the youth.”
The next session, ‘Narrowing the Gender Gap: Empowering Women through Skills’, was devoted to Odisha’s role in supporting young girls of the state through learning pathways, employability enhancement initiatives and sustainable livelihoods.
Sujata R Karthikeyan, secretary, Department of Mission Shakti, said, “Every woman or a girl has the right to be empowered to aspire and achieve those aspirations. Gender and skilling, gender and empowerment are important for the government agenda. Our efforts will be to ensure that through Mission Shakti we are able to empower the women of the state.”
The session on ‘Linking Apprenticeship and Internship to Skilling for the New World’ saw experts
deliberate on roadmap for a coherent execution of apprenticeship policies that will expedite and scale up
the process.
Sanjay Kumar Mishra, CMD, Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Limited said, “The key components of skill development include apprenticeship and internships that provide on-the-job training to individuals. These are important for the individuals to acquire essentials skills for the jobs. As new sectors such as hydrogen fuel, green energy and new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things emerge in the country, upskilling and reskilling the youth will be crucial to enable them with opportunities and contribute to the society.”
The final session of the day, ‘Skilling beyond shackles-Inclusivity in Skilling’ focused on provisions to ensure that skilling opportunities are available for marginalised communities including differently abled persons and role of TVET system in building inclusive workplaces.
Bhaskar Sarma, secretary, Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Department, said, “Inclusivity in skilling includes women, transgenders, tribals and disabled individuals, among other groups. The inclusion of these groups is extremely important to the state and country. Through the Skilled in Odisha initiative, our endeavour is to make skilling accessible, affordable and aspirational for these marginalised groups and ensure development of the state.”
Usha Padhee, principal secretary, Skill Development & Technical Education Department, in her valedictory address said, “The insights and discussions from today’s sessions have set forward the roadmap to enhance the skilling ecosystem in the state. The industry partners and policy makers have charted out the areas and policy interventions required to equip the youth with skills that will not only help them build sustainable livelihoods but also strengthen the position of Odisha on a national and global map.”
Subroto Bagchi, Chairman, Odisha Skill Development Authority; Reghu G, CEO, Odisha Skill Development Authority (OSDA) and Santrupt Misra, Group Director, Birla Carbon, Aditya Birla Group were also present at the valedictory session.
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