Dharmendra inaugurates first Skill India Centre of country in Odisha

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

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

While addressing the youth at the inauguration, 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 1200 students through this centre.

He also 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.

Pradhan also mentioned that aligning with 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 mentioned.

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.

The centre is equipped with best-in-class infrastructure, cutting-edge technologies and modern facilities that will catalyse demand for formal skills and will serve as a catalyst in enabling youth to acquire the skills needed to succeed in their respective fields. To further fuel growth, collaborative efforts are being made to harness the potential of demographic dividends to catalyse rural development, nurture local entrepreneurship and spur socio-economic growth.