In a Humanitarian Gesture, CM, Cabinet Ministers, and All AAP MLAs to Donate One Month’s Salary for Flood Relief

Chandigarh, August 28 :In a humanitarian gesture, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, along with the entire Cabinet and all Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs, have decided to donate their one month’s salary towards flood relief efforts in the state.

Sharing the details, the Chief Minister said that Punjab has suffered significant losses due to nature’s fury, and this is a time when all Punjabis must come together to support each other. Bhagwant Singh Mann stated that he, along with his ministers and AAP MLAs, is contributing one month’s salary to aid and support those affected by the floods. He added that the state government and administration are fully committed to bail out the people in this hour of crisis.

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HARJOT BAINS PUSHES FOR INDIAN INSTITUTE OF SKILLS IN LUDHIANA & 5 ITI HUBS FOR PUNJAB

• EM Bains raises demands during Regional Conference of Skill Ministers

Chandigarh, August 28:To make Punjab a leader in skill development across the country by bridging skill gap with industry relevant training for youth, Punjab Technical Education and Industrial Training Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains urged the Union Government to establish an Indian Institute of Skills in Ludhiana and five ITI hubs across the state.

S. Bains raised the demands during the Regional Conference of Skill Ministers chaired by Sh. Jayant Chaudhary, Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

While addressing the conference, S. Harjot Singh Bains emphasised Ludhiana's suitability for an Indian Institute of Skills, highlighting that 20 acres of land are readily available in the industrial city for this purpose.

S. Harjot Singh Bains highlighted Punjab's remarkable progress in technical education, noting that since 2022, the state has doubled its ITI seats from 25,000 to 52,000, with admission rates surging from 60% to a projected 98% this year, while ensuring optimal utilisation of infrastructure and creating a more skilled workforce.

He stated that Punjab has undertaken a comprehensive overhaul of technical education, discontinuing obsolete courses and introducing 814 new trades designed to meet industry needs and driven by market demand. These trades were developed after extensive consultations with industry partners and Industrial Management Committees (IMCs) to equip students with in-demand skills, enhancing their employability and job readiness.

Punjab has established transformative partnerships with prominent industrial houses, including Sonalika, Hero etc. to bridge the skill-certification gap, the Education Minister said while adding that the collaborations ensure ITI graduates acquire both recognised qualifications and practical industry skills.

S. Bains shared that Punjab launched a first-of-its-kind B.Tech. in Mechanical Engineering (Industry Integrated) program at Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University (MRSPTU), Bathinda with the help of Victura Technologies Private Limited (VTPL) of Faridabad. This is first course across the country, under which from the very first semester the student will be part of the industry and the industry campus would be considered as a deemed campus of the University.

S. Harjot Singh Bains invited Union Minister of State Sh. Jayant Chaudhary to visit Government ITI Ludhiana, highlighting it as a model for technical education nationwide due to its advanced equipment and next-generation laboratories. S. Bains also expressed gratitude to Sh. Chaudhary for his consistent support, particularly acknowledging the cooperation in various technical education initiatives over the past three years.

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DESIGNATE SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT FOR ALL SKILL INITIATIVES, AMAN ARORA URGES UNION MINISTER

• Arora also suggests two key measures to boost skill development; 3-5 years continuity & State-led Implementation of schemes

• CM Mann led Govt committed to creating a futuristic, inclusive & opportunity-rich skilling ecosystem in Punjab, says Aman Arora

Chandigarh, August 28:Punjab Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training Minister and State President of Aam Aadmi Party Mr. Aman Arora today urged Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Sh. Jayant Chaudhary to designate the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship as the single point of contact for all skill development initiatives to bring uniformity in monitoring and implementation in Centre Govt’s skill development schemes.

While addressing the Regional Conference of Skill Ministers today organised here at a hotel, Mr Aman Arora also suggested two key measures to further enhance skill development, which include ensuring continuity in skilling schemes by allocating training numbers for 3-5 years, allowing for better planning and informed choices for youth and implementing skill training schemes through State Skill Missions to leveraging their expertise in implementation and monitoring for more effective outcomes.

Highlighting the state's significant strides in skill development, Mr. Aman Arora shared that the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government has launched its own “Punjab Hunar Vikas Yojana” in 2024, training over 10,654 youth. Furthermore, the state has partnered with prominent organisations like IBM, Microsoft, and NASSCOM to provide free training in diverse skills. The state government aims to upgrade ITIs into Centres of Excellence, promote entrepreneurship and leverage digital integration for skill training, aligning with the vision of transforming Punjab's youth into a skilled and employable workforce.

He further informed that over 2 lakh youth have been trained through various flagship initiatives, with notable achievements under schemes like Deen Dayal Upadhaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDUGKY) and Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana.

Skilling is about building future, not just jobs, Mr. Aman Arora said, while adding that the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government is committed to creating a futuristic, inclusive, and opportunity-rich skilling ecosystem.

The Punjab Employment Generation, Skill Development & Training department is dedicated to enhancing employability through various initiatives. It operates 14 Centres for Training and Employment of Punjab Youth and two Armed Forces Preparatory Institutes for boys and girls, with a new institute underway. The Punjab Skill Mission equips youth with skills for employment, self-employment, and sustainable livelihoods. Furthermore, the department has established 5 Multi-Skill Development Centres, 3 Health Skill Development Centres, and 198 Rural Skill Centres, with district-level offices ensuring effective implementation at the grassroots level, he added.

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