Acquire skills before seeking jobs
Job seekers around the globe have been increasing in numbers but the jobs for them have been shrinking since the past many years now. Only those who possess various skills are able to fetch themselves good paying jobs not only in their respective countries and regions, but elsewhere also.
In Jammu and Kashmir an effort is being made from all quarters to enhance skills of the youth so that they are able to lay their hands on well earning jobs. Since the past three years 1,64,665 youth have been trained under various skill development schemes in the region.
These trainings were conducted through different programmes of the Department of Skill Development. As per official data, 32,537 youths were trained under the Craft Training Scheme, while 1,710 underwent training under the Apprenticeship Training Scheme and as many as 9,901 candidates received training in Government owned Polytechnics.
Notably, the Employment Department is also providing three-month skill development capsule to build entrepreneurship capacities for Self Employment scheme.
Since unemployment in Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of the country is a pressing issue, there is huge number of job seekers holding higher degrees of education. Yet the employability of these youth seems a distant possibility.
Some people hold the government responsible for not providing the adequate number of jobs to the unemployed youth, some holding their educational institutions responsible for not giving them sufficient know-how about the future challenges in terms of availability of jobs associated with that particular stream. Some people hold luck and fate responsible for the miseries they are facing so for as the question of source of livelihood is concerned.
Incidentally, the number of educated youth is increasing overwhelmingly day by day. It is not even possible for the government to accommodate each and every one in government departments. There is not even that level of industrialization in Kashmir so that the youth can move towards private sector for seeking jobs.
However, youth with their respective skills in varied trades have a bright future if they put their skills to good use. The skilled manpower could not only address the unemployment issue by creating their own jobs, but their skills could greatly address the ‘supply and demand issue’ as well.
The youth in Jammu and Kashmir need to think out of the box as the demand for skilled labour has phenomenally increased across the world in the last few decades. Such is the relevance of skilled labour in countries like Australia and Canada that they are even offering permanent residency to people with skills that are in their demand list.
We in Kashmir are witnessing an imported labour phenomenon as most of the technical jobs that are to be carried out here are done by people who have come from other states.
Interestingly, the need for skilled labor is a pressing issue in many industries as rapid technological advancements require workers with specialized skills to operate and maintain complex systems.
Companies need skilled workers to stay competitive in the global market, innovate, and improve productivity. Besides, the retirement of middle aged work force and changes in their demographics create a need for skilled workers to fill the gap.
The recent developments and surveys conducted have revealed that skilled workers are more efficient and productive, leading to increased output and better quality products.
The skilled workers drive innovation, enabling companies to stay ahead of the competition and adapt to changing market conditions. They are also better equipped to handle complex tasks, reducing the risk of accidents and improving overall quality.
The need of the hour is that all the stakeholders including academic institutes, especially ITIs and Polytechnics, corporate sector and the government institutes need to come together in creating a skilled man force in the region.
