Centre can lead in creating skill trainers’ data: CM

Ravi S Singh

Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, APRIL 25

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today stressed the need for a capacity building programme in a big way to create an enhanced pool of skill providers and trainers in the country.

He suggested the Centre should take a leading role in creating a data base of good skill providers and its regular upgrade.

Speaking at the first meeting of NITI Aayog’s sub-group of Chief Ministers, Virbhadra Singh urged democratic institutions and various stake holders, including civil society organisations, to contribute towards the skill development vision of the country to meet the requirement of skilled manpower.

The sub group, headed by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, has been assigned the task by NITI Aayog to evolve a strategy to enhance skill development and share good practices in this area.

Highlighting the initiatives taken by the Himachal Government, Virbhadra Singh said it had instituted a state-level Skill Development Society to give policy direction and coordinate and implement skill activities in the state.

“We have decided to constitute a skill development corporation to plan, coordinate and implement most of the skill development schemes. It will also provide an umbrella framework to improve coordination and convergence among all the departments of the state government,” Virbhadra Singh claimed.

Also, vocational education in trades such as automobiles, retail, security, healthcare, tourism and agriculture has been started in 200 government senior secondary schools (Class IX to XII) in the state, the Chief Minister stated.

He added that there was a need to start employment and career guidance/ counseling at the Class XII level.