In a step towards generating employment, Odisha government has signed a loan agreement with Asian Development Bank to train youths in the state. “The Odisha government on Monday signed a loan agreement of $85 million with Asian Development Bank (ADB) to train 1.5 lakh youths in the state”, officials said.
A government statement said, “With this assistance, youths in the age group of 15-34 years will be given skill development training to make them competent to get better work and higher paying jobs”.
“The total cost of the project is $193 million with the Odisha government contributing $108 million”, it added.
“The project aims to significantly reduce unemployment and under-employment rates in Odisha by 2025”, it said.
The Japanese government will also provide technical help for capacity building through the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction.
The ADB would also provide $2 million as technical assistance for capacity building component of the project.
The project will be led by the Odisha Skill Development Authority and ITE Education Services, Singapore which will cooperate in the establishment and operation of World Skills Centre (WSC) in Bhubaneswar.
The Training programmes at WSC will cater to the requirement of industry through experiential learning. The WSC would also act as a hub for all the Spoke ITIs to train the youths, advising on the curriculum development and developing the infrastructure of the ITIs.