Skill Development and Entrepreneurship opportunities in Chhattisgarh

Chhattisgarh’s economic growth is majorly dependent on its minerals. Minerals are the main industry sector in the state, contributing 32% to India’s steel. Apart from Minerals, Chhattisgarh has various other industries such as Agriculture, Power, Textile, etc., which contribute significantly to the state’s economy.

With numerous skill development initiatives, it aims to produce an industry-ready workforce and prepare youth for employment and entrepreneurship. The state significantly enhances skills in specific industries and provides job opportunities for skilled workers.

Major industries in Chhattisgarh

1. Metals and Minerals
2. Electronic System Design and Manufacturing
3. Power
4. Wellness
5. Agriculture
6. Textile
7. Steel, Cement, and Aluminum industries
8. Tourism

A walk through the industries and skill requirements in Chhattisgarh

Let’s go through the major industries that Chhattisgarh has and how the state is benefiting from them:

Metals and Minerals industry

Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation is seen as an important element of the Mining industry in the state. It accounts for 13.7% of India’s mineral production. It is the leading producer of minerals like coal, dolomite, limestone, and iron ore. The state contributes 37% to India’s dolomite production. Chhattisgarh is the only state that produces tin concentrates.

Regions that are rich in minerals

• Raipur has rich reserves of minerals, limestone, and coal
• Durg-Bhilai is rich in mineral deposits such as iron ore, limestone, and quartzite

Skills required for the Minerals industry are

• Technical and science-based skills like science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and problem-solving skills
• Soft skills and practical skills, such as creativity and critical thinking
• Workplace knowledge to follow certain safety measures
• Physical health like strong hearing and vision to work in small, cramped places and in dark places

Employment opportunities

• Geological Engineer
• Geoscientist
• Mine Electrician
• Quarry Manager and more

Electronic System Design and Manufacturing

Chhattisgarh is India’s second-largest deployer of fixed WiMAX. The state has a Software Technology Park of India (STPI) in a 1.7 million ha area. It has units in software development, financial control, medical transcription, and accounting. The government is planning to establish a greenfield Electronic Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) in Naya Raipur to promote investments in the ESDM sector in Chhattisgarh.

An electronics manufacturing cluster is coming up in sector 22 of Atal Nagar which aims to provide one-stop integrated facilities to the electronics manufacturing industries.

Skills required for this industry are

• Project development and PCB designing for various applications
• Selecting the proper component and designing the correct circuit are the most crucial steps to finish the project
• Ability to work with EDA and CAD tools
• Ability to debug an error in the function

Employment opportunities

• Electronics Engineer
• Field Test Engineer
• Electronics Technician
• Hardware Developer and more

Power industry

Chhattisgarh has a robust power sector that lies in the power deficit western grid and is linked to the northern and southern grids as well. A special high-tension line is being laid between Raipur and Rourkela. Chhattisgarh is likely to remain as a power-surplus state as it is a ‘Power Hub.’ The state has a power generation capacity of 1,360.2 MW in 2000 which increased to 14,000 MW in 2019.

Korba is known as the Power Capital of India, the region has rich reserves of coal and bauxite. Hasdeo Thermal Power station and National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) at Korba come under the thermal industry of Chhattisgarh. Korba National Thermal Power is the largest power utility in India and the sixth-largest in the world. A plant in Korba has a capacity of 2,100 MW.

Skills required for this industry are

• Manual and electrical knowledge
• Good vision and hearing
• Manual dexterity
• Ability to read interpret blueprints and other plant drawings

Employment opportunities

• Solar Design Engineer
• Operations Analyst
• Energy Market Analyst and more

Agriculture industry

Chhattisgarh is known as the “Rice Bowl” of Central India with the main crop being Paddy. Paddy farming accounts for 69% of the total gross cropped area of the state. Oilseeds like Groundnut, Soybean, Niger, and Sunflower are also grown. Chhattisgarh is also a key producer of Horticulture. The growth of Horticulture is owed to the high value for horticulture produce than agriculture crops. A Mega Food Park is also being developed in Dhamtari.

Some of the fruits and vegetables grown in the state are

• Fruit crops – The major fruit crops are Mango, Guava, Lime, Litchi, Cashew-nut, etc., and the minor fruits are Sitaphal, Bael, Ber, Anola, etc.
• Vegetables – Vegetable crops like Beans, Cabbage, Cauliflower, etc.
• Spices – Chilli, Ginger, Garlic, Turmeric, Coriander, and Methi are the major spices grown in the state
• Flowers – Flowers like Marigold, Tuberose, Gladiolus, Roses, Gaillardia, Chrysanthemum, Orchids, etc., are grown well without much care
• Aromatic and Medicinal plants – The medicinal crops grown in the state are Ashwagandha, Serpagandha, Satawar, Tikhur, etc. Aromatic crops grown are Lemongrass, Jamarosa, Patchauli, E.citridora.

Skills required for this industry are

• Tech-based skills such as irrigation, use of pesticide, techniques of cultivation, harvest, storage
• Agronomy knowledge
• Technological uses in managing crop data
• Logistics and organizational skills

Employment opportunities

• Farmworker
• Agricultural Economist
• Agriculture Equipment Technician, etc.

Also read: Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Opportunities in Jharkhand – https://nationalskillsnetwork.in/skill-development-and-entrepreneurship-opportunities-in-jharkhand/

Wellness industry

Chhattisgarh accounts for about 17% of India’s total exports of medicinal plants and herbs. The state has 22 varied forest sub-types, 312 species of commercial traded medicinal plants, and more than 1,525 varieties of medicinal plants.

Skills required for this industry are

• Health education
• Knowledge on medicines
• Knowledge of treatment, etc.

Employment opportunities

• Dietician
• Food Scientist
• Personal Trainer
• Healthcare Coordinator and more

Textile industry

The textiles here are woven in heavy cotton as well as tussar. Bastar follows weaving on manual looms which have the motifs of birds, lions, huts, etc., and are worn by the tribals. Kosa silk is the pure form of silk in Chhattisgarh and it is a variety of Tussar silk. Different patterns of embroidery are also famous in the state.

Skills required for this industry are

• Artistic and creative skills
• Understanding of color, form, and shape
• Knowledge of texture, patterns, and dyes
• Presentation skills

Employment opportunities

• Merchandiser
• Dyeing Expert
• Process Engineer
• Apparel/Garment Manager and more

Tourism industry

The Chhattisgarh government has kept tourism as one of its priorities for economic growth and to generate employment. Chhattisgarh was known as Southern Kosala as it has rich natural wealth and nature surrounded by Shiva, Maikal, and Ramgiri mountains. It also has National parks/Sanctuaries and Jain religious memorials. There are monuments, vihars, temples, and forts for visitors to visit.

Skills required for this industry are

• Organizational skills
• Flexibility skills
• Communication skills
• Networking skills

Employment opportunities

• Tourist guide
• Manager
• Travel Agent

Steel, Cement and Aluminum industries

• The steel industry is one of the biggest zones of Chhattisgarh that have a high export value. Bhilai Steel Plant is regarded as a significant growth indicator of the state with a capacity of 3.6 million tonnes per year.
• The aluminum industry of Chhattisgarh comprises Bharat Aluminium Company Limited which has a capacity of around ten million tonnes each year.
• The cement industry is another significant sector of Chhattisgarh. Century cement factory, ACC cement factory, Larsen and Toubro, Ambuja cement factory are some of the popular cement units that are operating in Chhattisgarh.

Skills required for this industry are

• Technical Manpower
• Data Analysis
• Machinery Operation, etc.

Employment opportunities

• Research Analyst
• Engineer/Asst. Manager
• Unit Head – Cement Plant, etc.

Handicrafts

Chhattisgarh is renowned for metal crafts, paintings, and jewelry. The people of Chhattisgarh have demonstrated their mastery in the production of wonderful craft items. The genuine handicrafts, like any other aspect of culture, are really compelling.

Bell Metal (DHOKRA), Godna, Wrought Iron, Terracotta, Woodcraft, Cotton Fabrics, Tumba are some of the popular crafts from Chhattisgarh.

Some interesting points

• National Thermal Power Corporation, Korba is India’s largest power utility and the sixth-largest thermal power generator in the world. In 2003-04, the company had an installed capacity of 19.4 percent in India and produced 27 percent of total electricity generated in the country.
• Chhattisgarh’s Kanker district, which has been infamous for Naxal violence is going to be a custard apple production hub thereby transforming the lives of villagers, particularly tribals, of the region.
• Gobar to Power – Chhattisgarh villages will soon be illuminated with electricity produced from cow dung, said the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh after launching a project which generates power from the gobar.

Chhattisgarh Rural Livelihood Mission

The Mission would work in conjunction with the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) of the Ministry of Rural Development (MORD) and would primarily focus on creating self-employment and wage/job employment opportunities for the rural poor.

Skill training centres in Chhattisgarh

2. Jawaharlal Nehru National Youth Centre Council of Education and Training (JNNYCCET) – conducts skills development and training programmes for unemployed youth – https://jnnyc-cet.org/training-centres/6/Chhattisgarh.html
3. Chhattisgarh State Skill Development Authority – Conducts training sessions in sectors like Beauty and Wellness, ICT, Banking and Accounting, Construction, Painting, Automotive Repairs, Security, Garment making and Fashion designing, Retail, Telecom, and Hospitality.
4. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Udyog Avam Vyapar Parisar, Chhattisgarh Trade Centre, Naya Raipur – facilities include an exhibition pavilion, convention centre, cultural ground, seminar halls, a crafts village, and food court – https://industries.cg.gov.in/Industrial_Infrastructure.aspx
5. MSME Technology Centre, Bhilai – focus on improving access to technology, skill degradation, and support to MSMEs – https://industries.cg.gov.in/Industrial_Infrastructure.aspx

Two Special Economic Zones (SEZs) being developed in Chhattisgarh are

• Solar SEZ in Rajnandgaon
• IT/ ITeS SEZ in Naya Raipur

Chhattisgarh is one of the fast-developing states in India. It is important to note that, along with the industries mentioned above, Chhattisgarh also has a wide range of artifacts and rich cultural life. The wide range of industries in the state provide employment as well as entrepreneurship opportunities to the youth in the state.