Sambalpur, Feb 20: Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated the first Skill India Centre (SIC) of the country in Sambalpur, Odisha on Tuesday.

Speaking on the occasion, Pradhan stated that by spearheading the skill training programs in new-age job roles, the skills-set of Amrit Peedhi will be upgraded in demand-driven industries and the aim will be to empower over 1,200 students through this centre.

The Union Minister said that 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 cost 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, he highlighted.

Pradhan also said that the introduction of low-cost courses in the centre will empower large youth and make them part of the evolving job market.

The Minister also mentioned that aligning with the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s vision of empowering youth with new-age skills, the Centre will equip a vast majority of the young populace with employable skills in demand-driven trades, creating an industry-ready workforce, encouraging entrepreneurship and strengthening the skilling ecosystem. It will be a catalyst of prosperity, he added.

The initiative is designed to build the capabilities and knowledge of Yuva Shakti in trades that are high in demand such as Media & Entertainment, Leather, Tourism & Hospitality, and IT-ITeS. It stands as a progressive step towards creating a conducive learning environment that empowers youth with industry-specific skills through a unique combination of classroom and work-based learning.

To ensure seamless implementation of the training ecosystem, the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) will designate a Centre Manager who will monitor the implementation of training programs and ensure adherence to quality standards and the overall functioning of the Centre. This transformative step will open new avenues for individuals to pursue education, and acquire new skills and employment linkages.

Following this event, the upcoming Skill India Centre in Odisha is scheduled to be inaugurated in Angul, Bhadrak, Dhenkanal, Talcher and Deogarh. By targeting the high economic growth sectors, each SIC in Odisha aims to address the specific skill needs of industries that have the potential to drive regional development and create sustainable employment opportunities.

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Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Atul Kumar Tiwari; CEO, NSDC and MD, NSDC International Ved Mani Tiwari; and other dignitaries were, among others, present at the event.

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