Union Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey visited the North East Skill Centre and interacted with its students at the Betkuchi campus in Guwahati on Sunday.
Addressing the students and officials of Assam Skill Development Mission, the union minister said, “The existence of specialized trainers imparting world-class training to spirited trainees at North East Skill Centre is a unique initiative.”
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He further said that this ‘fulfills the Prime Minister’s vision of empowering the youth with required skill sets’.
He lauded the State Government’s initiative in establishing this centre of excellence in Guwahati, which is way ahead of the Government of India’s proposed centre at Mumbai.
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“Act East Policy has placed emphasis on India-ASEAN cooperation and students with specialised skills from the Northeast can conquer the world, especially the vibrant South East Asian market,” the Minister added.
The union minister also conducted his first regional review meeting in Guwahati with the skill ministers of north-eastern states to ensure smooth coordination between Centre and States.
Addressing the meeting, the Minister stated that India’s youth will be the global workforce.
He assured that the Centre and states will work together for capacity building and to impart quality skill training leading to meaningful employment.
He reiterated Centre’s focus on Act East Policy to develop the region and to attain the goal of ‘Kaushal Bharat, Kushal Bharat’.
The extension of deadline for Prime Minister Kaushal Vikash Yojana (PMKVY) beyond 2020, requisition of modern machineries to the ITIs and handholding support for states like Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Manipur were also discussed at the meeting.
The Skill Development Ministers of these states deliberated in detail on these issues at the meeting.
The Union Minister responded that focus will be on strengthening ITIs and NE states will be accorded bigger share in centrally-sponsored schemes.
Assam skill, employment and entrepreneurship minister Chandra Mohan Patowary requested the Ministry to support and contribute to the Skill University being planned for north-eastern region and align it to nationally approved skill standards.
Dr Pandey also visited Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) and reviewed the training in entrepreneurship development and professional development for youth.