Chandigarh: Punjab has signed new skill development agreements to improve employment opportunities for young people in the automotive, footwear and fashion sectors.
The Punjab Skill Development Mission (PSDM) has partnered with the State Institute of Automotive and Driving Skills (SIADS), Northern India Institute of Fashion Technology (NIIFT) and Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI) to provide industry-focused training and improve job opportunities.
The initiative aims to help young people develop practical skills that match the needs of industries and prepare them for future employment.
What Are The Punjab Skill Development Agreement
The Punjab Skill Development Mission has entered into two major partnerships to strengthen vocational training in the state.
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The first agreement has been signed with the State Institute of Automotive and Driving Skills (SIADS), Mahuana. It will focus on training in automotive and driving-related trades.
The second is a tripartite agreement involving NIIFT, the Punjab Industries and Commerce Department, and FDDI. This partnership will focus on specialised training for footwear and fashion manufacturing. These agreements aim to connect skill development programmes with the actual requirements of employers.
What Did Punjab Minister Aman Arora Say
Punjab Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training Minister Aman Arora said the partnerships would help prepare young people for employment in high-growth industries.
He explained that training programmes must match industry requirements rather than simply provide basic educational qualifications.
According to the minister, the involvement of specialised institutions such as NIIFT and FDDI will help young people receive better training and improve their career opportunities. He also highlighted the importance of building a workforce that can support Punjab’s industrial development.
Which Sectors Will Benefit From The Punjab Skill Development Agreement
The partnerships will mainly support three important sectors.
1. Automotive And Driving Sector
The agreement with SIADS, Mahuana, will focus on automotive and driving-related vocational training.
The programme aims to provide practical skills required in the transportation and automobile industries.
2. Footwear Manufacturing Sector
FDDI will contribute its specialised knowledge of footwear design and manufacturing.
The partnership aims to develop trained workers for different technical jobs in the footwear industry.
3. Fashion And Apparel Sector
NIIFT will contribute its expertise in apparel, fashion and related industries.
The training will help young people develop specialised skills required in clothing production and fashion manufacturing.
What Will The Skill Development Programme Include
The agreements will focus on several activities to improve the quality of vocational training and employment opportunities. The major focus areas include:
- National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF)-based training programmes.
- Industry-focused vocational education.
- Placement support for trained candidates.
- Apprenticeship opportunities.
- Entrepreneurship development.
- Stronger cooperation between educational institutions and industries.
These activities are expected to help students gain practical knowledge and improve their chances of finding suitable employment.
