A workshop on “Closing the Skills Gap and Future of Jobs in Odisha” was jointly organized by National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and World Economic Forum (WEF) on 6th October 2018 in Bhubaneswar. The workshop deliberated on finding options for sustainable growth and well-planned strategies to positively influence the future of work in Odisha. The workshop was chaired by Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas; Skill Development & Entrepreneurship.
Highlights of the workshop
Release of skill-mapping report “The Barunei Accord – Skill Development in Odisha” mapping a roadmap for progressive journey for skill development of youth in Odisha
Presentation of a study by World Economic Forum on “Future of Jobs 2018” focusing on employment, skills and workforce strategy for the fourth industrial revolution
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, speaking at the occasion, expressed “I am glad that World Economic Forum is organizing a conference on ‘Closing the Skills Gap’ that too in Bhubaneswar, a progressive city of Eastern India, which is the epicenter of our demographic dividend. Today we are deliberating on this important issue of closing the skills gap in context of the future of jobs in India.”
He further said, “India is a country of young people. Our demographic dividend is our asset. Our challenge is to map the aspirations of our youth with the opportunities. Our education system has given knowledge and empowerment; it must also equip our youth with employability. It is important that we connect young generation with the new age skills. Demand mapping is key to keep up with the requirements of the market. Inclusion of women in our workforce is another imperative. Bringing more and more women in the workforce will give further boost to our GDP and bring in social change.”
Talking about the social importance of skills, Shri Pradhan said, “Skill is not only an economic commodity, it is also a sociological concept. It encompasses aptitude, aspiration and emotion of the youth. Empowerment of our masses cannot happen without skilling, and we are working on to ensure this.” He concluded.
Keeping a special focus on the state of Odisha, Hon’ble Minister Shri Pradhan unveiled a report “The Barunei Accord – Skill Development in Odisha: A Roadmap for Progressive Future”. The report projects incremental labour demand of 5.3 lakh (in 2018-19) in the state and potential to absorb around 77% of the unemployed population through appropriate long term and short term skill training. The report brings focus on significant youth population which can drive economic growth in the state and lays emphasis on skilling opportunities in Agriculture, Culture & Heritage, Rural and Tribal domains and identifies ‘entrepreneurship’ model to generate employment. It reiterates accelerating and scaling skill planning and deploying solutions such as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), Apprenticeship and Counselling of youth.
The workshop also included a presentation on a study “The Future of Jobs 2018” prepared by the World Economic Forum.
Charting a new way forward, the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship has also announced a ‘Closing the Skills Gap Task Force’ in India, through public-private collaboration. This task force will bring together leaders from business, government, civil society, and the education and training sectors to accelerate the future-proofing of education and training systems in the country.
The ‘Closing the Skills Gap & Future of Jobs’ workshop was attended by Mr. Piyamit Bing Chomprasob, Lead, Future of Education, Gender and Work, World Economic Forum; Ms. Terri Chapman, Associate Fellow, Observer Research Foundation; Mr. Sriram Gutta, Lead, Regional Agenda, India and South Asia, World Economic Forum, Ms. Sunita Sanghi, Senior Adviser, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Sh. Manish Kumar, MD & CEO, NSDC, Sh. Sanjay Kumar Singh, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Government of Odisha; Sh. Subroto Bagchi, Chairman, Odisha Skill Development Authority, among others.
