CM Himanta Biswa Sarma lays thrust on developing 'skills culture' among youths

 Government inks seven MoUs with Microsoft, Google India, Naukri. com, Tata Strive and other industry partners

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: To make the State self-sufficient in its power requirement, the Assam Government is mulling starting solar power plants in the permanent sar areas and investing in the thermal and hydro-electric projects of other states, said Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma while addressing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony in Guwahati today.

The Assam Government today signed MoUs and Memoranda of Agreement (MoU) with seven companies for imparting skill development training to the youths of the State and for developing the power, tourism and hospitality sectors. Chief Minister Sarma said that the Assam Government wanted a "skills culture to flourish among the youths" of the State so that they could become self-employed. He also said that the MoUs would help the State to realize the dream of a developed Assam, in line with the vision of the Prime Minister to transform the Northeast into a new engine of growth. He thanked all the seven companies for becoming "partners in Assam's development".

On behalf of the government, Assam Skill Development Mission (ASDM) entered into agreements with Microsoft, Google India Pvt. Limited, Larsen & Toubro Limited and Health Care Sector Skill Council. The Directorate of Employment and Craftsmen Training executed an MoU with Info Edge (India) Private Limited, better known as Naukri.com, and Assam Tourism Development Corporation (STDC) signed an MoU with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India, TATA Strive Skill Development Initiatives and the Indian Hotels Company Limited. Further, APDCL also signed an MoU with Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam's Green Energy Limited.

Chief Minister Sarma said, "The government has set a target of 4,000 MW solar power generation in the next 2-3 years. Today, an MoU was signed with Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam's Green Energy Limited for the generation of 1000 MW solar power. As a part of the MoU, a floating solar power project will be developed in the wetlands and beels. The government will grant permission for setting up solar power plants in 25 per cent area of wetlands and beels. Of course, it must be ensured that the solar power projects will not affect the biodiversity of the wetlands and pisciculture." The total cost of this floating power project will be around Rs 6,000 crore, he added.

"There are some solar power projects going on in the State and now the government is mulling to start solar power projects in the permanent sars. The government also plans to invest in thermal and hydroelectric projects in other states so that Assam can get its share of the power generated from these projects," said the Chief Minister.

"The MoU with L&T will offer knowledge and support for establishing training setup and executing green field projects under the construction sector. L&T will set up training institutes in three places. Our youths have to go outside to get training in the construction sector but now they will get the required training here.

"The government intends to develop Assam into a tourism hub. The MoU signed between ATDC and TATA Strive Skill Development Initiatives and Indian Hotels Company Limited would pave the way for setting up a hospitality skill centre of excellence for the training of the youths of the State. The government also plans to set up a 5-star hotel in Kaziranga in collaboration with the Tata Group."

Skill Employment Entrepreneurship Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah, who also spoke on the occasion, said that by laying thrust on the skill development of the youths, the government seeks to make Assam one of the most developed states of the country. "As part of the MoU with the Indian Hotels Company Limited, six training units will be set up in the State. Out of the six units, work on two units has been completed while the remaining four units are in various stages of completion," said the minister.

"The MoU of the Directorate of Employment and Craftsmen Training with Naukri.com will provide an online platform for the unemployed youths to have their profile uploaded on the digital domain to attract prospective employers. We will provide Naukri.com the data of the 12 lakh unemployed youths registered in the employment exchange. Based on their qualifications, Naukri.com will find suitable job offers for them.

"To develop Assam into a medical hub for Southeast Asia, an MoU has been signed with Healthcare Sector Skill Council (HSSC) to provide necessary training to our youths in the healthcare sector."

The objective of the MoU with Google India Private Ltd. is to support the Government of Assam in skilling youths with job-ready digital and business skills. The best part of this arrangement is that Google Career Certificate Course will provide job opportunities to the skilled youths via a cohort of potential employers. "Our main thrust will be on education, internet and digital technology," said the Google India Private Ltd. representative.

The MoU with Microsoft will pave the way for building the capacity of the youths in Assam Skill Development Centres across the State. Microsoft through their modules of MDSP (Microsoft Diversity Skilling Programme) will provide intervention for under-served youth to ensure their active participation in workforce. With this programme, the youth will be equipped with the skills required to thrive in a digital economy.

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