Even the illiterate youth of the State would now be able to reap benefits of the ambitious Skill Development Allowance Scheme (SDAS) in selected trades such as masonry, carpentry, welding, plumber, painter and blacksmith etc. for upgrading their skills, disclosed Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh while presiding over a review meeting of the above scheme here last evening. He said that Cabinet had already given its nod to reduce the age limit from 18 years to 16 years and essential qualification as middle pass to be eligible under SDAS.
He said that the department would take up necessary steps to develop appropriate informal training modules for small sector and empanel specialised training agencies on the line of MES schemes of Govt. of India.
Virbhadra Singh said that this would not only widen the ambit of this ambitious scheme for covering more and more eligible youth but would also help in ensuring highly skilled man power in these traditional professions. He said that this would ensure better job opportunities to the youths not only in the State and country but also in Middle East and Gulf countries, where there was great demand for these skilled artisans. He said that all these courses would be certified courses so that the trainees have some document to support their expertise. He said that this would also help in preserving and reviving the traditional craftsmanship.
Chief Minister said that while engaging private partners for running skill upgradation courses, it should be ensured that they have good expertise and experience in running these courses. He said that this would save the trainees from any inconvenience after completion of their skill development courses. He said that it was necessary that gap between demand of the industries and skill be identified and courses be designed according to the demand of the Industry. He said that this would ensure better employment opportunities to the youth of the State.
Virbhadra Singh said that more than 20,000 beneficiaries had been covered under the Skill Development Allowance Scheme, so far, and numbers of beneficiaries were expected to cross 30,000 by the end of the year. He directed the officers of the Labour and Employment Department to ensure that the maximum numbers of eligible youth were benefited under the scheme. He directed the officers of the department for adopting proactive approach for ensuring effective implementation of this scheme as there was no paucity of funds for this Scheme. He also exhorted the youth of the State to take benefit of the scheme.
