Bhubaneswar: To make Odisha youths ready for future job demand, the State Government has come with a new scheme Nua Odisha to train one lakh youths in future technologies like cloud computing, artificial technology, data sciences, and other futuristic knowledge.
The State Government has kept a budgetary provision of Rs. 100 crores for the new scheme Nua Odisha
to train one lakh youths in future technologies like cloud computing, artificial technology, data sciences, and other futuristic knowledge, said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here on Thursday.
While inaugurating the Odisha Skill Conclave 2023, the Chief Minister said, “This is a time when our country is undergoing a significant transformation. Rapid technological advancements and changing job markets have made it imperative for us to invest in our human capital and equip our young generation with the skills they need to succeed in the 21st century.”
Shri Patnaik said he believes that skill development is not just a moral obligation, but also an indispensable economic pre-requisite. Skilling youth leads to human transformation, he said.
Industry 4.0, and the future of work and skills are the buzzwords in the skilling industry right now. So, the Chief Minister said his government has come up with the new scheme Nua Odisha to train one lakh youths about new technologies.
“To achieve this, we need a collective, collaborative effort between the central ministries, state government departments, industry, academia and civil society to develop policies and programs to promote skill development, and also ensure those skills are recognised and valued in the job market,” he added.
The Chief Minister said that Odisha is devoted to this cause and has launched initiatives such as Mission Shakti for transforming the lives of 70 lakh women and supporting them to become entrepreneurs.
The brand Skilled-in-Odisha is now ready to shine across the Globe. However, it cannot be achieved without the active participation of the private sector. Therefore, he urged the industry to come forward and partner with the state in this endeavor.
Addressing on this occasion, Skill Development & Technical Education Minister Pritiranjan Gharai said, “The Government of Odisha has always been keen to partner with industries with modern and future technologies and make them affirmative in the process. Odisha has made great strides in the skill sector because of various prudent and proactive interventions by the Government.”
Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena, in his address, said, “Skilling has been the buzzword of our times. We have seen a rapid change in the technological landscape owing to development in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence. This mega Skill Conclave will be a great platform for deliberation, convergence and collaboration among policy makers, industry leaders, academicians and students.”
Subroto Bagchi, Chairman, Odisha Skill Development Authority, said, “In line with the Chief Minister’s vision of making Odisha a sandbox of innovation, today’s event is a testimony to that vision and to build a reputation of the State’s capital to become a global benchmark with transformational technology, literature, culture, sports events and medication as well as skilling.”
Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary, Skill Development & Technical Education Department delivered the welcome address.
“In Odisha, skilling is not just training, but a mission to transform lives. This event intends to bring all the stakeholders of the skilling ecosystem under one roof for churning out ideas and giving a direction to the skilling community,” she said.
During the inaugural session, the Skill Development and Technical Education Department has signed MoUs with ITE Education Services, Singapore, Odisha Computer Application Center (OCAC) and Drone Federation of India.
Besides, Mission Shakti signed an MoU with World Skill Centre and School and Mass Education Department partners with ITE Education Services, Singapore.
In addition to the MoUs, some of the global leaders like Festo, Mitutoyo, Schneider, Coursera, Alterra, Philips Education and ISB expressed interest in investing in the youth of Odisha and Skill Development and Technical Education.