Bengal to be a prominent name in Skill map of India in future : Dr Humayun Kabir

Kolkata, Sep 16 (UNI) “The Government of West Bengal recognizes the importance of Skill Development and has taken imperative steps to improve the qualitiy of Vocational Education Institutes and the standard of skill education as a whole,” said Dr Humayun Kabir, Minister-of-State, Department of Technical Education Training & Skill Development, Government of West Bengal Addressing the inaugural of the CII webinar on Skill East on Thursday, he said, under ‘Utkarsh Bangla’ 29 new Government Polytechnics have already been operationalized during last 6 years.
Speaking earlier in the session, Sanjay C Kirloskar, Chairman, CII National Committee on Skill Development & Livelihood & Chairman & Managing Director, Kirloskar Brothers Ltd mentioned that the pandemic highlighted the need for industry aligned skilling, reskilling and upskilling of youth.
He stated that there was an urgent need to come together to create livelihood options for the youth and skill them to ensure quality living. It is equally important to develop avenues for entrepreneurship which would transform job seekers into job givers, he added.
He drew attention towards CII’s continuous work on shaping India’s development journey and, this year, more than ever before.
Mr Kirloskar also stated that the Confederation would continue to proactively transform Indian industry’s engagement in national development.
“Sight of poor inadequately equipped workers walking hundreds of miles to reach home must make us think of what really is the fit for future work force best suited to the needs of our country and region,” Sanjiv Paul, Deputy Chairman, CII Eastern Region & Chairman, Tata Pigments said while presenting the opening remarks at the session.
He further discussed the need for a new game plan in the skilling domain and innovation focused on online models which would be integral to the new emerging realities.
Citing the Asian Development Bank Report which mentions about the changing workforce dynamics, he said that this, coupled with the prevailing challenges of the youth, poses a critical threat to the health of Indian economy and socio-economic security of our people.
Keshav Rao, Chairman, CII Eastern Region Subcommittee on Skill Development & Director – Personnel, Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd brought to light the devastation caused by the pandemic in terms of business and economy.
“MCL continues with the same pace and fortunately was not affected by the pandemic as far as business is concerned,” he said. The Director HR pointed out various obstacles for the Technical Vocational Education and Training learners. He further expressed concern over the decline in quality of the education with the new mode of learning. “Quality of face-to-face classes could not be replaced by the digital or remote learning,” he added.
The webinar discussed the causes of interruption to skill development activities and shed light on the Future of Work in digital economy of India and the need for development of a Skilled Ecosystem.
In addition, senior professionals discussed on the possible transformation journey which can address the challenges and ensure the future growth of skilling of youth in the country.
A study titled “An insight into East and Northeast India from a skilling vantage point” was launched today at the 2nd CII Skill East – Developing a ‘fit for future’ workforce, discusses at length the demography, economy, focus sectors, and the ongoing skilling interventions of the six major states in the East and Northeast, namely Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal.
It also highlights about some of the key interventions that the individual State Skill Development Missions (SSDMs) may explore in order to further develop the skilling ecosystem within the region.
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