As many as 51,200 youth in the State will be provided skill training over the next three years, Minister for Local Self-government K.T. Jaleel has said.
He was speaking ahead of signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Kudumbasree Mission and 23 agencies selected for implementing the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) in the State. The agencies would get ₹100 crore as per the MoU.
The DDU-GKY is being implemented in the State in association with Kudumbasree.
Dr. Jaleel said despite the high levels of literacy in the State, Keralites could rarely be seen among the ranks of those who had learnt various job skills and become part of a skilled workforce. Moreover, till recently, such training was affordable for the financially well-off in urban areas, but in rural areas there was no permanent mechanism to ensure jobs for them in sectors they had an aptitude for.
Under the DDU-GKY, nearly 18,000 youth in the State had been given skill training in areas of their interest in the past two years. Over the next three years, 51,200 more young men and women would be provided such training. Twenty-three agencies were already providing such training in the State. The addition of 22 new agencies would take their number to 45, he said.
Amending bylaw
He said the Kudumbasree would amend its bylaw to include educated young women as its members so as to make the most of their skills, vision, and knowledge. This would bring about a significant change in the financial sector.
Kudumbasree Executive Director S. Harikishore said of the 18,000 youth who were given training over the past two years in 34 courses, 12,000 had got jobs, with 48 of them getting international placements.
The agencies selected had been evaluated by the Kerala Academy for Skills Excellence. The aim was to start classes for the youth by September 1, and bring at least 10 per cent of the youth to the classes within two months. Mr. Harikishore said Kudumbasree planned to provide training to the physically challenged under the DDU GKY so that they could get jobs.
Six programme implementing agencies were felicitated on the occasion. Employment and Training Director Sriram Venkitaraman was present.
Mr. Venkitaraman also received the Excellence in Appraisal award on behalf of KASE for supporting Kudumbasree in including more agencies for the project.
