YS Jagan to launch Rs.100-crore 'Skill Universe' program in Andhra Pradesh on October 16

VISAKHAPATNAM: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy to launch a Rs. 100 crore Skill Universe program on October 16, 2023 to modernize skill development and training institutes across the State.

The State Government plans to implement the Skill Universe program, aiming to issue job offers to skilled individuals and sign MoU with major industries for skill development.

Industries would collaborate with the state to develop the latest skill infrastructure in a mission mode, aligning with evolving trends.

The state government would also launch 'Skill Universe', a comprehensive web portal and mobile application that would serve as a one-stop solution for all skill development-related activities.

Besides convergence of skill development programmes and integration of skill lifecycle and areas of operation of various government departments, Skill Universe would enable industries to identify skilled manpower to their requirements.

Explaining the efficacy of the Skill Universe, Principal Secretary to the government, Skill Development and Training Department, S. Suresh Kumar said, "The Skill Universe programme will be an advanced version that could accommodate all stakeholders on a single platform using real-time analytics on the progress of different courses and availability of employment opportunities.

“This is one application wherein candidates seeking training in different skills and also looking for job opportunities can register. The unique feature of Skill Universe is that job providers can also register on this. It will bring the job providers as well as job seekers on a common platform, where it becomes easy to explore the options,” Suresh Kumar added.

Skill Universe would be also integrated with government portals like Skill India Digital, Employees Provident Fund Organisation, and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, a pioneer in skill development since 2004.

Between June 2019 and September 2023, 14,26,515 candidates received training in various job and self-employment-oriented skills.

“In the last four years, we spent about Rs 314.10 crore for skill development under different schemes. Our programmes helped 3,40,816 trained candidates secure gainful employment, the highest number in any period,” said Suresh Kumar.

The Principal Secretary added that 83 Government Industrial Training Institutes, 87 Polytechnic Colleges and 26 Skill Colleges across the state would be modernized at a cost of Rs 102 crore and equipped with the latest and high-end machinery.

“These institutes will now be re-branded as industry-cum-training centres to create a competent and skilled workforce catering to local and global industrial requirements. In the first phase, we have finalized tie-ups with 182 major industries like Kia Motors, L&T, JSW, Samsung, UltraTech, Schneider Electric, Hyundai Steel and Johnson Lifts and Escalators for the purpose,” Suresh Kumar said.

These industries would also offer job opportunities to the trained youth, the Principal Secretary added.