CM cites unemployment as a big problem in Assam

Updated on: Monday, May 07, 2012

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said, unemployment has been one of the biggest problems facing Assam and that imparting modern skill to youths can eradicate it to a large extent.
 
"Lack of expertise among our youths means that we have to bring even semi-skilled workers from other states for working in major projects like Gas Cracker in Lepetkata. We need to change the pattern of education and put more emphasis on skill development," he said at a programme here.
 
"The state government is planning to upgrade ITIs and all such centres within the 12th Plan period and our target is to get over the problem of skill shortage within the next five years," he said.
 
He said that with the change in habit and rise in income levels, demand for professionals in service like plumbing, fashion, furniture making, agri-industry and vehicle repair and maintenance.
 
State Industry and Commerce Minister Pradyut Bordoloi said in the programme, Assam government is planning to set up multi-disciplinary skill training centres in all the 219 blocks across the state within the current 12th Five Year Plan period (2012-17).
 
The first five such centres will be operational within months and 23 will be operatinal by end of the current financial year, he said.
 
"Training will be provided by private sector groups  with expertise in the relevant trades. We have identified 50 trades, which are not taught in ITIs, which will be taken up at multi-disciplinary centres," Bordoloi said.
 
The first five centres will come up at Guwahati, Margherita, Bilasipara, Bajiagaon and Badarpur Ghat. Trades like oil rig and well management, agriculture implements manufacturing, bamboo crafts, drilling, digital videography, masonry, refrigerator and AC repairing, travel and tourism guide and toy making will be part of the curriculum.
 
"In 2012-13, we are looking to train 1,600 youths and some among them would be sent for higher training to National Academy of Construction, Hyderabad, and National centre for Design and Product Development, New Delhi," Bordoloi said.

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