Chandigarh
14 July 2017
DIVYA AZAD
Celebrations of the World Youth Skills Day were held at GGDSD College here today. The event was organized by UT Chandigarh Skill Development Mission in collaboration with NSDC. It was presided over by Mr Anurag Agarwal, IAS, Secretary, Technical Education, UT and hosted by Mr Rakesh Kumar Popli, Director Higher Education (DHE), UT and JSTE-cum-State Apprenticeship Adviser.
Addressing the gathering, Mr Agarwal said “Skill enhancement is the need of the hour. We must counsel students while they are still in school to encourage them to learn skills that can later be converted into employment. It is imperative that young school going students are made to realize the importance of learning new and varied skills.”
Mr Agarwal added that there is a great demand for various skill-set. “We should modernize technical institutes and introduce short term, skill based courses that tap the potential of the youth and equip them with employable skills,” he added while also stating that such changes require immense dedication and full participation of the NGOs, industry and students.
Mr Rakesh Kumar Popli appreciated the good work being done by industries registered under the National Apprenticeship Promotional Scheme. The Scheme allows youngsters to get professional training at various industries and acquire the skills needed for future job profiles. “It helps impart the right, employable skills to the youth,” he said.
Mr Askar Ali, IAS, Assistant Commissioner, Chandigarh suggested that “an inclusive, broad-based approach involving employers and the participating trainees will prove beneficial to the success of the Scheme and enhance the sustainability and impact of the Scheme.”
Mr Agarwal gave away prizes to participants who had successfully completed various skill-based courses and found placements in different companies.
