Skill Development of Youth Is a Priority for BJP: Dr. Tapan Chand
- Odisha BJP thanks the Double-Engine Government for taking initiatives to promote skill development and employment opportunities for the state’s youth.
- Under the Skill Development Scheme approved by the Odisha Cabinet, advanced skill training has been initiated for 4.20 lakh young people, with an allocation of ₹450 crore.
- Initiatives by the Central and State Governments will prepare Odisha’s youth for emerging entrepreneurial and employment opportunities in India and abroad.
Bhubaneswar, October 17: In a major step towards empowering the youth of Odisha and strengthening the state’s industry-oriented skill development ecosystem, the National Steering Committee (NSC) of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India, has approved an investment of ₹240.50 crore for upgrading the Cuttack ITI Cluster in Odisha under the PM-SETU scheme.
The Cluster’s Strategic Investment Plan (SIP) will be implemented in collaboration with the Tata Steel Foundation, following a hub-and-spoke model. Government ITI, Cuttack, will serve as the principal centre (hub), while Government ITIs at Choudwar, Paradip, Jajpur and Dhenkanal will function as the associated centres (spokes).
In a joint press statement, Dr. Tapan Kumar Chand, Convener of the BJP Industry Cell and State Spokesperson, along with fellow spokespersons Mr. Tejeshwar Parida and Mr. Satyabrata Panda, expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the Central Government for this youth empowerment initiative focused on skill development.
The statement emphasised that technical knowledge and quality training are essential for the youth in today’s rapidly evolving industrial landscape. The modernisation of the Cuttack ITI Cluster will help young people acquire skills aligned with the requirements of various industries.
The project will focus on modernising workshop infrastructure, introducing Industry 4.0-based and emerging technology courses, upgrading instructors’ capabilities, and strengthening the linkage between training and employment. The curriculum will cover advanced manufacturing and robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), cyber-physical systems, additive manufacturing, green energy, electric vehicles (EVs), and digital logistics and supply chain technologies.
To support the effective delivery of these new courses, 3,744 instructors have received capacity-building training through the National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) under the Training of Trainers programme.
The statement also highlighted the recently approved Skill Development Scheme of the Odisha Cabinet, under which 4.20 lakh young people across the state will receive industry-oriented skill training. The scheme aims to train 3 lakh youth in Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the scheme also provides for the establishment of model skill development centres in higher educational institutions, targeted projects for persons with disabilities, transgender persons and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), and the Chief Minister’s Skill Development Fellowship. An allocation of ₹450 crore has been earmarked for the initiative.
These measures are expected to enhance the employability of Odisha’s youth and prepare them for emerging industrial and employment opportunities in India and abroad. As the schemes are designed to be outcome-oriented, they are expected to deliver tangible results in skill enhancement, employment generation and industrial development across the state.
The Senior BJP leaders stated that, while skill development under the previous BJD government remained largely confined to schemes and advertisements, the BJP is committed to accelerating Odisha’s development. They emphasised that expanding industrialisation alongside a wider skill development ecosystem would help make the state’s youth skilled, competent and future-ready in accordance with the evolving needs of industry.
The BJP expressed its gratitude to the Double-Engine Government for its continued efforts to expand skill development opportunities and equip the youth of Odisha to meet the demands of a rapidly changing industrial and technological environment.
