Punjab Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training Minister and AAP State President Mr. Aman Arora today urged Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship,
Aman Arora, Sh. Jayant Chaudhary, to designate the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship as the single point of contact for all skill development initiatives. This, he said, would ensure uniform monitoring and efficient implementation of the Centre’s skill development schemes.
Addressing the Regional Conference of Skill Ministers held at a local hotel, Aman Arora also proposed two key measures to strengthen skill development: ensuring continuity of skilling schemes by allocating training targets for 3–5 years to facilitate better planning and informed choices for youth, and implementing skill training programs through State Skill Missions to leverage their expertise in execution and monitoring for improved outcomes.
Highlighting Punjab’s progress in the sector, he shared that under Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the state launched the “Punjab Hunar Vikas Yojana” in 2024, training over 10,654 youth. Punjab has also partnered with major organizations like IBM, Microsoft, and NASSCOM to provide free training in diverse skill areas. Plans are underway to upgrade ITIs into Centres of Excellence, promote entrepreneurship, and integrate digital technologies in skill training, aiming to prepare Punjab’s youth as a highly skilled and employable workforce.
He further stated that over 2 lakh youth have been trained under various flagship programs, including notable achievements under Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDUGKY) and Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana.
“Skilling is about building the future, not just creating jobs,” said Mr. Arora, emphasizing that the Chief Minister-led Punjab Government is committed to developing a futuristic, inclusive, and opportunity-rich skilling ecosystem.
The Punjab Employment Generation, Skill Development & Training Department is focused on enhancing employability through numerous initiatives. It runs 14 Centres for Training and Employment of Punjab Youth, two Armed Forces Preparatory Institutes with another under development, five Multi-Skill Development Centres, three Health Skill Development Centres, and 198 Rural Skill Centres. District-level offices ensure effective implementation at the grassroots, while the Punjab Skill Mission equips youth with skills for employment, self-employment, and sustainable livelihoods, he added.