‘Skill Development a Top Priority of Bengal Government’ – Purnendu Basu

By Hirak. D (TNI Siliguri) | TNI Editing Siliguri

Webdesk, TNI Siliguri 30^th June, 2018: Skill development is a top priority for the West Bengal Government, according to Mr Purnendu Basu, Minister for Technical Education, Training & Skill Development of West Bengal. The West Bengal Government has announced its decision to provide Advanced Vocational Training in Higher Secondary schools, the Minister said at the North Bengal Skill Conclave organized by CII in association with the North Bengal Development Department here today. “Every year more than 800,000 students enroll for various courses. In the first phase, around 2700 higher secondary schools have been chosen for imparting vocational training courses,” the Minister informed a large gathering of industry members. In an attempt to improve the qualities of vocational education institutes and the standard of skill education, the Government of West Bengal has earmarked Rs 781 crore for technical education, training and skill development, he said According to him, since North Bengal is well known for tea production, a Centre of Excellence will be a great value-addition for both businesses and the workers. “I call upon CII to plan a comprehensive Centre of Excellence dedicated to the tea industry,” Mr Basu said. He also urged industry members to prepare a model of special training programmes for plastic, tea, real estate and construction sectors. The West Bengal government, Mr Basu said, has taken up a few initiatives, each designed to foster skill development and create employment opportunities in the State. This will ensure that young people are better equipped for jobs, the Minister said, adding that the State Government is developing a gem and jewellery park on 2.5 lakh sq ft at Ankurhati in Howrah for which 1.5 lakh sq ft. has been allotted.

The State Government has also allotted 5,000 sq ft to Gem and Jewellery Trade Federation for setting up a skill development facility within the park, the Minister said. There is a need for setting up a farm management centre in North Bengal which has huge potential in agri-business. He also said the State Government is keen to associate with CII and institutions such as National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) & NABARD for taking skill initiatives to a higher level to make West Bengal a leader in the skill map of India in near future, the Minister said. Mr P D Pradhan, IAS, Commissioner Department of Technical Education & Skill Development Branch Secretariat North Bengal, said, various initiatives have been taken to facilitate skilling interventions. There is a need for closer coordination and deeper synergies between ITIs, polytechnics and industry for nurturing youngsters, Mr Pradhan said. Mr Kamal Kishore Tewari, Chairman, CII North Bengal Zonal Council & Partner, K Tea Corporation, said the Conclave is the first initiative taken by CII North Bengal in skill-building exercise. “Considering its potential and resources, North Bengal will be integral to Bengal’s growth story,” Mr Tewari said. The Inaugural Session was followed by two Plenary Sessions & one Career Counseling Session for Students with the following Panelists, Mr Raj Basu, Chair, Tourism Panel, CII NB Zonal Council & Partner, Help Tourism Pvt Ltd, Mr Abhishek Hegde, Head Business Development & Account Management, Mr Ratan Kr Bihani, Past Chairman, CII North Bengal Zonal Council & Director, Deepak Polymer Pvt. Ltd., Mr Manish Agarwal, MD, Orion Edutech Pvt. Ltd., Mr Rajib Kumar Singh Roy, Head – PMKVY, East & North East, Orion Edutech Pvt. Ltd., Mr Ashish Jain, Chief Executive Officer, Healthcare Sector Skill Council, Mr Arpo Mukherjee, Manager, Sector Council for Green Jobs, Mr Hirak Jyoti Maitra, Head Operations, Montana Vista & Mr Subash Mani Singh, Founder & Chairman, Mani Trust & Mr Dewaker Basnet, Chief Learning Officer, 24 Hours Inspired Leadership Development and Personality Enhancement Consultant, Author, Columnist & Quiz Master. Mr Anand Kumar Agarwal, Vice Chairman, CII North Bengal Zonal Council & Director, Chuniajhora Tea Co Ltd delivered the Vote of Thanks.

Photos: CII North Bengal