Kolkata: Bengal government has set a target of providing employment to around 6 lakh youths within the current financial year.
Purnendu Bose, the minister of Technical Education, Training & Skill Development in the state, said that altogether 6 lakh youths would be undertaking various skill development training, before they secure employment.
The state government would ensure that the unemployed youths become economically independent through the training programmes.
Training has already been provided to 2.5 lakh unemployed youths, while the remaining number of candidates would complete the courses within March 31 next year. After completion of the various training programmes, the youths can also start up their own business, Bose said.
After being instructed by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the Technical Education department has started various vocational training programmes for youths, free of cost. A large number of youths have been undergoing training at various centres.
It may be mentioned that after coming to power, the Chief Minister had laid great stress on the generation of employment in the state, through technical training.
The Utkarsh Bangla scheme, which was launched by the Bengal government, has also been providing vocational training among unemployed youths. The beneficiaries of the scheme are being imparted knowledge on skill development. There are various government departments that are rendering assistance on skill development, thereby helping village youths secure employment.
After successfully completing the training, the youths can step into the IT sector, work in various service centres, or even start a new venture, Basu said.
He also added that the state government will extend all possible assistance to the youths so that they can start small units after going through the training. Setting up new units will generate employment for others as well. "We will train as many as 6 lakh youths within this financial year, some of whom have already completed the training course," he said.
Basu had earlier stressed on the importance of training among local youths in various sectors like soil testing labs, soil diagnosis, seed production, production of bio fertilisers, etc. If the unemployed youths are trained in these sectors, they will be able to contribute towards the growth of agri-economy in the state.