Guwahati : Electronics major Samsung signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Assam skill development and entrepreneurship department to set up a skill development centre to impart skill development training to youths to repair mobile phones, televisions, and other gadgets.
“This will be our first skill centre in the Northeast and we plan to expand to other parts of the region gradually. We have decided to set up the centre here since it is difficult for youths to move out of the state for skill devel opment courses. We hope to prepare the young boys and girls for opportunities locally,” Deepak Bharadwaj, vice-president, strategy investment and corporate affairs, Samsung, said at the ceremony.
The MoU was signed between Bharadwaj and Rituraj Bora, the director of Employment and Crafts Training Institute.
Samsung’s foray into skill development sector received a pat from the Assam government which is looking for more partnerships with public and private companies for skill development and employment generation.
“We request companies to join our skill development mission as we can’t provide government jobs to more than 15 lakh educated unemployed youths. Aspirants from upper middle and middle classes move out of the state for better courses but those from lower middle class or below poverty line come to our industrial training institutes. I want to request Bharadwaj to set up at least four such centres so that we can cater to youths not only here but across the state,” skill development and industries minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said.
The state government had created the skill development and entrepreneurship department with an aim to accomplish the Centre’s Skill India ambition.
Stating that the government would go for skill development in revolutionary mode, Patowary said, “We have decided to make it mandatory for the companies coming to invest in the state to set up skill development centres. This will help their business, too, as they will no longer have to send their products outside for servicing. In the process, our young boys and girls will also get jobs locally.”
Patowary inaugurated two courses on industrial sewing machine operator and light motor vehicle driving. The two courses are being sponsored by the Guwahati Refinery of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC). Twenty economically disadvantaged youths each will be provided training in the courses during this financial year.
Executive director, Guwahati Refinery, Jogen Barpujari, said they have already sponsored 800 youths, including 450 girls, and provided skill development training since 2011.
Guwahati-based Kamala Bezboruah Memorial Trust today handed over cheques to 71 ITI students who topped their courses, at the function. The trust has been providing Rs 500 monthly stipend to ITI students since 2009.
Note: News shared for public awareness with reference from the information provided at online news portals.
