Uttar Pradesh Forges Industry-Education Bridge with Major Skill Development MoU
In a significant move aimed at enhancing youth employability across western Uttar Pradesh, the State Council for Vocational Training (SCVT) has officially partnered with the Noida Apparel Export Cluster (NAEC) based in Gautam Budh Nagar. This strategic collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on Thursday, marks a pivotal step in the state's mission to create a skilled workforce and reduce unemployment.
Comprehensive Training Initiative for One Lakh Candidates
The agreement, inked by Hari Om, Principal Secretary of Vocational Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, outlines an ambitious five-year plan. During the initial phase, NAEC will deliver short-term skill training programs across 28 diverse sectors to a target of 1 lakh candidates. These beneficiaries will be drawn from 18 districts, encompassing 128 development blocks and 10,323 villages in the western region of Uttar Pradesh.
A standout commitment of this initiative is the assurance of employment for 70,000 trainees post-training, with placements secured within various industrial units. Furthermore, emphasizing inclusivity and gender equality, the program mandates that 50% of all trainees will be women, a provision designed to significantly bolster women's empowerment and economic participation in the state.
Government's Vision for a Skilled Uttar Pradesh
Kapil Dev Agarwal, the Minister for Vocational Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, highlighted the broader objectives behind this partnership. "The Yogi government's unwavering goal is to ensure every youth in the state becomes skilled and no longer has to wander in search of employment," he stated. "This MoU between NAEC and SCVT will act as a robust bridge connecting industry needs with educational outcomes. It is not merely about providing jobs to our youth; it is about positioning Uttar Pradesh as the premier skill hub of the nation."
Expanding Skill Training to Atal Residential Schools
In a parallel development to widen the reach of skill education, the Skill Development Mission has announced an expansion of its training programs. Beyond the existing 500 secondary schools, the initiative will now extend to students in classes 9, 10, and 11 across all 18 Atal Residential Schools in the district.
The curriculum for these students will cover a wide array of trades, ensuring practical and industry-relevant education. Key sectors include:
- Healthcare
- Beauty & Wellness
- Food Processing
- Information Technology & IT-enabled Services (IT & ITES)
- Apparel and Textiles
This holistic approach aims to equip young students with valuable skills early on, fostering a culture of vocational excellence and preparing them for future career opportunities.
The combined efforts of the SCVT-NAEC partnership and the expanded school training programs underscore Uttar Pradesh's dedicated push towards creating a self-reliant, skilled, and employable youth population, driving both individual prosperity and state-wide economic growth.
