Guwahati: Additional Chief Secretary for Skill, Employment & Entrepreneurship Department (SEED) B. Kalyan Chakravarthy recently spoke to Business North East (BNE) regarding Assam's ambitious plans to transform its workforce through skill development initiatives.
The government representative, who has been leading the charge in Assam's skills and employment sector, discussed a range of ongoing initiatives to make Assam a hub for skilled labour.
"We are rapidly expanding the ITI network in Assam. We aim to ensure that every legislative constituency, or MLA constituency, has an ITI. At present, we are about 70 ITIs short. However, we are working to fill that gap as quickly as possible,” B. Kalyan Chakravarthy said while speaking of the significant aspects of the state's skill development agenda.
The government is harnessing existing infrastructure, including amalgamated schools and other public sector facilities. Moreover, this allows the state to set up new ITIs while keeping costs manageable.
"The focus is not just on increasing numbers but also on improving the quality of training provided at these institutes. We are looking for industry partners who can help us make this a reality," he added.
This expansion forms part of a broader strategy to make vocational training even more accessible to Assam's youth and ensure they are industry-ready. A key component of the state’s approach is building strong industry partnerships to ensure skill development meets job market demand.
B. Kalyan Chakravarthy revealed that the state is actively collaborating with leading companies to create specialized skill institutes and offer training in emerging fields.
"We have already collaborated with Tata Group on Industry 4.0 and digital skills development. Additionally, we are working with L&T to establish skill institutes for Building and Construction Workers (BOCW) in areas like Dhemaji, Kokrajhar, Nalbari, and Balambari," he shared.
These collaborations aim to train workers in the latest technologies and ensure they are well equipped to succeed in the competitive job market. B. Kalyan Chakravarthy also emphasized that these collaborations are not just about training but also about creating job opportunities for the youth.
"By partnering with industries, we can ensure that the youth are trained in relevant skills and can access jobs within those industries," he said, highlighting the upcoming Assam Skill University in Mangaldoi is a key initiative, which will offer a range of specialized programs to integrate skill development into formal education.
ALSO READ: New Skill Development Program To Empower Artisans, Meet Modern Market Demands
"The vision is to make skill development an aspirational goal for youth. We want to integrate vocational training into the mainstream education system so it becomes as valuable as academic qualifications," he explained.
B. Kalyan Chakravarthy emphasized that skilling is not limited to IT and industrial sectors. Assam's effort is comprehensive, aiming to build skills in all areas, including agriculture, municipal administration, including road construction.
"For example, in agriculture, our current focus is training youth to operate modern equipment like tractors and improve farming techniques. We also need skilled workers in irrigation systems, road construction, and other critical infrastructure sectors," he stated, adding the holistic approach will ensure Assam's youth are industry-ready and prepared to contribute to the state’s economy.
B. Kalyan Chakravarthy pointed out that this approach mirrors successful models from other parts of the world, particularly Japan, where skilling is integral to the workforce. "In countries like Japan, skilling is a core part of the economy, and this is something we are trying to replicate in Assam," he said, adding while the state has made substantial strides in its skill development initiatives, there is still a long way to go.
India has a relatively low rate of skill development, with only about 20 per cent of the workforce being formally skilled, compared to countries like Japan, where the rate exceeds 80 per cent. "We need to address this skill gap to ensure that India can compete globally, and Assam can play its part in this national transformation," he added during the BNE interview.
The Indian government is heavily invested in skilling initiatives, providing funding through various schemes. "This year, a large portion of the central government budget has been allocated to skill development. There are funds for internships, skill scholarships, and infrastructure development, including the upgradation of ITIs. The government is also offering financial assistance to companies that employ skilled workers," B. Kalyan Chakravarthy said.
Looking ahead, the government representative believes that the future of Assam lies in skilling its youth for both jobs and entrepreneurship. "We want to ensure that once our youth are skilled, they can seek employment or become entrepreneurs. Skill development will empower them to be job creators, not just job seekers," he said, reiterating that Assam is at the cusp of a transformation driven by skill development.
"If we skill our youth effectively, industries will come to Assam because they will find a capable workforce here. This will not only boost our economy but also create more job opportunities for our people," he further told BNE.
Meanwhile, by expanding the ITI network, forging industry partnerships, and addressing the skilling needs of all sectors, Assam is positioning itself as a key player in India's evolving economy.
FIRST Business Portal addressing the potential of business capability of North East Region.
