Bihar’s Push for Skilled Workforce: 20 Lakh Youth to Be Trained, 8,000 Centers to Be Established
Chirag Gupta
Patna: The Bihar Skill Development Mission, under the Labour Resources Department, organized a Sector Skill Council (SSC) meeting at Hotel Chanakya to discuss strategies for improving workforce training and aligning it with industry demands. The event was addressed by Labour Resources Minister Santosh Kumar Singh via Zoom from Bhagalpur, while the meeting was formally inaugurated by Principal Secretary of Labour Resources, B. Rajender, along with other key officials.
During the meeting, a non-financial agreement was signed between 17 Sector Skill Councils and the Bihar Skill Development Mission. This agreement aims to enhance training for trainers, develop skill development curricula, certify and evaluate students, and ensure job placements for beneficiaries. The collaboration seeks to address technical and operational challenges in skill development and to foster better communication within the skill ecosystem.
In his address, Minister Santosh Kumar Singh emphasized the critical role of the state’s youth in Bihar’s development. He reiterated the government’s commitment to skill development and employment generation, highlighting the importance of the Sector Skill Councils in bridging the skill gap and meeting industry requirements. He assured that the state government would provide all necessary support to enhance training quality and increase access to employment for the youth.
Principal Secretary B. Rajender discussed the state’s ambitious target of training 20 lakh youth and establishing 8,000 training centers. He underscored the need for meaningful discussions on training quality and industry demand during the SSC meeting. He also stressed the importance of skilled trainers, noting that their expertise directly impacts the effectiveness of training programs.
Additional Chief Executive Officer of Bihar Skill Development Mission, Rajiv Ranjan, outlined the meeting’s goals, including assessing trainers’ needs and determining the costs associated with providing necessary facilities to trainees. He emphasized the importance of timely assessments and placements for trained students, aiming to maximize their participation in industry-relevant courses. Ranjan also highlighted the growing contribution of Bihar’s youth, including women, in various industries and the need to increase women’s participation in entrepreneurship.
The meeting was attended by representatives from various Sector Skill Councils, including those in aerospace, textiles, logistics, and telecommunications, as well as representatives from SC- ST Welfare Department, Minority Welfare Department, and other key departments of the Bihar Government. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks by Suresh Kumar Singh, Mission Director of Bihar Skill Development Mission.
