Srinagar, May 9: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary today stressed the need for skilling and training the students for future-ready jobs to ensure better livelihood opportunities and sustainable growth for the youth.

He made these remarks during his visit to various Government Polytechnic Colleges and Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in Srinagar conducted to take first-hand appraisal of academic activities, infrastructure resources and facilities being provided to the students enrolled under different skill development programmes.

During the visit, the Deputy Chief Minister inspected the Government Polytechnic College, Gogji Bagh; Government Polytechnic College for Women, Bemina and ITI Bemina. He reviewed the functioning of the institutions, ongoing training programmes, laboratory facilities and infrastructural requirements.

The Deputy Chief Minister directed the concerned authorities to equip the laboratories and workshops with modern gadgets and machinery to ensure seamless practical training for the students. He underlined the need for introducing market-oriented courses and aligning skill development programmes with the present and future industry demands.

Underscoring the importance of industry exposure, he called for establishing linkages between the educational institutions and reputed industries to facilitate training, internships and placement opportunities for the students. “The need is to provide market access and suitable platforms to our talented students for showcasing products and skilled work they produce,” asserted the Deputy CM.

During interaction with the students, the Deputy Chief Minister urged them to avail benefits available under Mission YUVA and become self-reliant entrepreneurs.

“Under Mission YUVA, youth can avail loans up to Rs 10 lakh without mortgage or guarantor requirements. Work hard, utilize these opportunities and become successful entrepreneurs,” he said.

At Government Polytechnic College, Gogji Bagh, the Deputy Chief Minister assessed the institution’s academic environment and emphasized the need for strengthening technical education and improving the learning facilities for the students.

During his visit to Government Polytechnic College for Women, Bemina, he stressed the importance of equipping the laboratories with the latest machinery and gadgets. He called for imparting modern and innovative skill training to prepare the students for future-ready employment opportunities.

He also inspected the Food Processing Technology Unit and underscored the need to promote products prepared by the students through proper branding and marketing support to enhance their reach and visibility.

The Deputy Chief Minister interacted with the faculty members and students and took stock of the developmental requirements of the institution.

At ITI Bemina, the Deputy Chief Minister inspected various labs and training units including Carpet Technology, Data Operator Training, Plumbing and Shawl Making sections.

Interacting with the students, he emphasized the need for modern infrastructure, advanced machinery and quality skill imparting to enhance employability and entrepreneurship among youth.

He was accompanied by Director Skill Development Department, Owais Ahmad; Chief Engineer PWD Kashmir, Narinder Kumar; Principals and Superintendents of Polytechnic Colleges and ITI Bemina; Superintending Engineers and Executive Engineers of the concerned departments.

Later, the Deputy Chief Minister avisited the office of Chief Engineer R&B Central Kashmir, Rajbagh Srinagar and reviewed its functioning and ongoing works.