Bhubaneswar: More than 12.13 lakh unemployed youths have registered themselves with different employment exchange offices in the State during the last five years and are waiting for jobs, Skill Development and Technical Education Minister Sampad Chandra Swain told the Assembly today.
In a written reply to BJD MLA Sarada Prasad Nayak, the Minister said that 12,13,924 unemployed youths including those passed out from class-10, class-12, degree, master degree, and technical education courses have registered their names in the employment exchanges during 2019-20 to 2023-24 and waiting for jobs (till October end).
Out of the total registered job aspirants, Swain said 3.19 lakh graduates, 51,956 post graduates and 4.22 lakh intermediates, 1.80 lakh matriculates and 42,916 diploma pass out students have registered themselves with different employment exchanges of the state during the last five years.
Similarly, 74,827 trained teachers, 33,691 ITI passed out students, 14,750 under matric students are waiting for jobs in Odisha, he said.
Interestingly, 836 postgraduates in medical courses and two medical graduates were also waiting to get a job in the state, as per the statement of the minister.
During the last five years, the government has given employment to only 2274 youths through the exchanges, he informed.
In another written statement to the House, Swain said the state government has provided training to 36,329 youths through Placement Linked Training Programme during the last five years (2019-20 to 2023-24), of which 15,068 got employment.
Similarly, over 18.42 lakh youths have been made self-employable by providing training under the Chief Minister’s Employment Generation Programme during 2014-15 to 2023-24, he said.
Besides, to create employment opportunities, Odisha Skill Development Authority (OSDA) has been organising job fairs. Between 2019-20 and 2023-24, 226 job fairs were organised at a cost of Rs 3.80 crore and appointment letters were given to 1,05,444 individuals, he said.