Gorakhpur: By aligning vocational training with modern technology, industry demand, and digital innovation, the Uttar Pradesh government is stepping up efforts to transform the state into the country's largest skill hub.
Samvad Programme Highlights Collaboration
At a 'Samvad' programme organized by the Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission (UPSDM) at a hotel in Gorakhpur on Tuesday, government officials, industry representatives, and private ITI operators discussed ways to strengthen employment-oriented and future-ready skill training for youth.
Minister Emphasizes Skill-to-Employment Model
Chairing the event, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Vocational Education, Skill Development, and Entrepreneurship Kapil Dev Aggarwal said the government is focusing on a 'skill-to-employment' model to ensure training leads directly to jobs. He highlighted that 150 government ITIs have been upgraded in partnership with Tata Technologies, introducing courses in artificial intelligence, robotics, drone technology, advanced designing, and modern manufacturing. Another 62 ITIs will soon be added to the project, he added.
State's Achievements in Skill Development
Aggarwal noted that Uttar Pradesh currently has over 300 government and 3,000 private ITIs and recorded the country's highest apprenticeship enrolment last year, with more than one lakh youths linked to apprenticeship programmes. Principal Secretary Hari Om stressed the need to integrate skill-based education with traditional learning to meet rapidly changing industrial requirements. UPSDM Mission Director Pulkit Khare highlighted initiatives such as 'Project Praveen', AI chatbot 'Kaushal Dost', and online learning platform 'Kaushal Disha'.
These efforts underscore the state's commitment to creating a robust ecosystem for skill development, ensuring that youth are equipped with the expertise needed for emerging job markets.
