Shimla: To create a pool of trained professionals, the State government has set up the Himachal Pradesh Kaushal Vikas Nigam (HPKVN). The State Government has envisioned to train about 52,000 youth during the next few years, and to start with, the HPKVN starting ‘pilot training’ from the November. Initially 1080 youth would be trained on pilot basis.

Training would be provided in thirteen roles across eight sectors viz. automotive, furniture, healthcare, hospitality, IT/ITeS, life sciences, retail and textile. This training is open to graduates, school pass-outs, school drop-outs, women, semi-skilled professionals in unorganized trades and people with special abilities. The training would be imparted on non-residential basis and all the expenditure of training, travel, in case of 40 Kms or more and lodging and boarding in case of residential training would be borne by the Nigam. The State Government would assist the trainees in getting placement in related leading industries.

Training levels and curriculum has been designed by respective Sector Skill Council along with National Skill Development Corporation. The course curriculum would also include soft skills, computer literacy, financial literacy and entrepreneurship development.

As many as 90 youth with a minimum qualification of plus-two would be trained as electricians at automotive set-ups. In addition, 180 matric-pass youth would be imparted training as fitters in automotive sector. The duration of both these training programmes would be about three months. As many as 120 youth would be trained as carpenters and fitters in wooden furniture. No formal educational qualification is required for this three-month training and the training would be imparted at Mandi. Training for youth as General Duty Assistants would be imparted in Healthcare at Kangra and asmany as 30 primary-pass youth would be imparted about four-month training. Similarly, 180 youth would be trained in Hospitality Sector as Food and Beverages Associates and Meet and Greet Officers. This training would be imparted at Kullu and to minimum matric pass youth.

IT and ITeS industry is on an expansion mode nationwide with several new players entering this field with great job opportunities to the youth. To cater to the demand of this sector, 90 youth would be trained at Shimla as Voice Operators and Data Entry Operators. In addition, 60 youth with Diploma in Pharmacy/Mechanical and Chemical Engineering/B.Pharma/BSc/MSc/ M.Pharma would be trained in Life Sciences Sector as Production Chemists at Baddi for a period of over four months. Textile sector is another sector which has immense employment potential. For this, 120 primary-pass youth would be trained in textile sector as Ring Frame Doffers at Baddi in Solan district. Training would be provided to 210 plus-two pass youth in Retail Sector as Retail Sales Associates and Sales Associates at Kangra in Kangra district.

The interested candidates could log on Nigam’s website (www.hpkvn.nic.in) and draw benefit of this ambitious, free and job-oriented training scheme for the youth of the State.

The Government would also ensure regular monitoring and evaluation of skill training programmes. This would not only ensure quantity and quality benchmarks in vocational training, but also ensures that the trainees get better job opportunities after getting training. On completion of the training, each trainee would be assessed by third party and successful trainee would be awarded certificates. The Certification would be done by National Skill Development Corporation, Sector Skill Council and Himachal Pradesh Kaushal Vikas Nigam.