In the wake of the growing demand, the state government will explore possibilities to set up a Skill University in Himachal so as to ensure the betterment of skill up gradation of the youth.

He said this while addressing Him Kaushal Utsav organised by the Himachal Pradesh Kaushal Vikas Nigam (HPKVN) here on Monday, on the occasion of ‘World Youth Skill Day’. Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that the endeavour of the state government was to ensure skill up gradation of the youth of the state so that they become ‘Job Providers’ instead of ‘Job Seekers’.

“Rising unemployment among youth was one of the major problems facing economies and societies in today’s world, for developed and developing countries alike,” he said.

It calls for an integrated approach to development which recognises that eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, he added. Thakur said that the role of technical and vocational education and training was vital in tackling this problem.

“Greater stress has to be laid on technical and vocational skills development, specifically regarding to provide affordable quality technical and vocational education and training. This can equip youth with the skills required to access the world of work, including skills for self-employment opportunities,” he added.

With the changing world, the concept of education has also increased and education today means skilling youth to empower them to lead a better life, both economically as well as socially, he added.

He said that youth should not go after white-collar jobs in the government sector, as there were vast opportunities available in the private sector.

“State government was planning a Global Investors Meet in the month of November this year and that several big industrial houses have shown interest to invest in the state. This would ensure vast employment opportunities to the youth of the state and thus we require to skill our youth to meet the demands of industries,” he said.

Chief Minister said that since about 90 per cent of the population of the state lives in rural areas, therefore greater stress needed to be laid on Skill up gradation of the youth. Thakur also launched a Mobile-based App to facilitate the youth of the state.

He also released a mobilisation booklet on the occasion and felicitated the skilling partners and students on the occasion.

Industries and Technical Education Minister Bikram Singh said, “The youth of the state were known for their hard work and sincere nature, thus industries were keen to employ them in their units. The state government was committed to making the youth of the state fully skilled so that they get adequate opportunities of employment and self-employment.”

HPKVN State Coordinator Naveen Sharma said that the state government has ensured empowerment of youth by providing them ample employment and self-employment opportunities.

Additional Chief Secretary Industries Manoj Kumar informed about various activities initiated by the state government for skilling the youth of the state. He said that in order to ensure the empowerment of the youth it was vital to skill them.

Information and Technology Director and Managing Director Kaushal Vikas Nigam Rohan Chand Thakur said that the main objective of HPKVN was to empower the youth through their Skill up gradation. He said that the Nigam was also ensuring that the skilled youth get placement or start his or her own self-employment ventures, for which all possible assistance was being provided to them.