Skill Development and Entrepreneurship opportunities in Jharkhand

Do you know Jharkhand is one of the richest sources of minerals in India? It accounts for 40% and 29% of India’s mineral and coal reserves respectively, which makes Jharkhand one of the leading states in terms of economic growth. It offers a wide range of incentives to all the industries under the Industrial Policy, 2012. Jharkhand also has various other industries such as Textile, Food processing, Agriculture, Tourism which contribute to the state’s development.

Industries in Jharkhand

1. Textile, Apparel, and Footwear
2. Food and Feed Processing
3. Mining
4. Automobile and Auto-Components
5. Energy
6. Health and Medical Education
7. Tourism
8. IT (Information Technology), ITeS (Information Technology enabled Services), and BPO (Business Process Outsourcing)

A walk through the industries and skill requirements in Jharkhand

Let’s go through the major industries in Jharkhand and how the state is benefiting from them

Textile, Apparel, and Footwear

Jharkhand is one of the leading producers of silk and Tasar silk in India. The tasar is exported to the U.S, Europe, and East Asian countries. The states’ annual textile production is close to 1200 MT and accounts for about 62% of total Tasar silk production in India. Jharkhand Silk Textile and Handicraft Development Corporation (JHARCRAFT) is an objective to create a sustainable livelihood in rural areas. Jharkhand government has promised that the textile industry will be strengthened through skill up-gradation, capital infusion, and technology transfer.

Skills required for this industry are

• Artistic and creative skills
• Understanding of color, form, and shape
• Knowledge of texture, patterns, and dyes
• Commercial awareness of textile industry

Food and Feed Processing

Jharkhand produces a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Its main crops are cauliflower and cabbage which grow around the year. Jharkhand has about 1.8 million tons of high-quality vegetable produce. It also processes milk and milk products.

The Jharkhand government has come forward to provide financial assistance for technology up-gradation at food processing units. Jharkhand also produces cattle feed, poultry feed, and other animal feed. It has industries that produce a wide range of feed.

Skills required for this industry are

• Technical skills
• Engineering
• NPD and Process
• Production skills
• Procurement and Buying

Mining

Jharkhand has one of the richest mineral zones in the world and is one of the leading industrial states in eastern India. It is the leading producer of coal, iron ore, copper, mica, and cobalt. The state also accounts for about 25% of steel production in India. Jharkhand also provides investment opportunities in the manufacturing of mining exploration vehicles, transportation, and more.

Skills required for this industry are

• Technical and science-based skills like knowledge in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
• Problem-solving skills
• Physical health like strong hearing and vision to work in small, cramped, and dark places
• Practical skills like creativity and critical thinking
• Have workplace knowledge to follow certain safety measures

Automobile and Auto-components

Jharkhand being one of the largest producers of steel gives momentum to the auto and auto components industries. There is also a demand for industrial vehicles and mobile equipment as there are metal and mining industries.

Skills required for this industry are

• Adaptability
• Diagnostic and Mechanical skills
• People skills
• Problem-Solving
• Professionalism
• Ability to use technology

Energy

Jharkhand is the fifth largest energy consumer in the world. It is planning to transform itself into one of the most progressive states in the country by giving 24*7 availability of power.

ISEP (Initiative for Sustainable Energy Policy) is a policy in Jharkhand which aims at transforming energy into renewable energy which creates institutional, social, infrastructural, and financial challenges. Switching to a higher proportion of electricity generated by renewable sources would be essential for the state.

Skills required for this industry are

• Active interest in green energy
• General understanding of the energy market
• Knowledge of relevant legislation surrounding energy efficiency and carbon emissions
• Understanding technologies related to energy

Health and Medical Education

Jharkhand has seen an improvement in the primary health index over the years. The state is also planning on opening super-specialty hospitals, nursing colleges, medical colleges under the PPP model. The government is determined to provide health care services especially for people in remote areas.

Skills required for this industry are

• Hands-on skills
• Conflict management
• Specialist Carer training
• Starting IVs

Tourism

Jharkhand has immense bio-diversity, moderate climate, rich cultural heritage, religious places of worship, and many more which makes it the ultimate destination for tourism. The Jharkhand Tourism Policy 2015 offers an incentive range that is aimed at the development of tourist spots and the up-gradation of tourist complexes.

Tourism in Jharkhand has generated Rs. 8.31 lakh crore of the nation’s GDP in 2015 and supported 8.7% of its total employment.

Skills required for this industry are

• Organisational skills
• Flexibility skills
• Communication skills
• Networking skills

IT, ITeS, and BPO

Jharkhand aims at accelerating the growth of the IT sector and implementing policies favorable to its growth. The state is looking for investments in the designated IT parks, software technology parks across the state.

Skills required for this industry are

• Data analysis
• Cloud computing
• Communication skills
• DevOps

Few other industries in Jharkhand

• Jharkhand is also famous for its handicrafts. It is providing job opportunities for more than 50,000 artisans of the state in handicrafts like Dhokra art, Terracotta crafts, Cane, and Bamboo crafts. It is also famous for tribal ornaments, Paitkar paintings, stone carvings, and more.
• Agriculture in Jharkhand provides employment and primary income. The agricultural economy of the state is characterized by nature, low productivity, low investment, and paddy as the dominant crop. The tree that produces sweet food flowers known locally as Mahua (Madhuka Langifolia) is grown here which is used for making liquor.

Also read: Skill Development and Vocational Training opportunities in Tripura – https://nationalskillsnetwork.in/skill-development-and-vocational-training-opportunities-in-tripura/

Some interesting points from Jharkhand

• Ranchi Station of ICAR-NBPGR identifies unique genetic stocks of jackfruit and tamarind from Simdega district of Jharkhand
• Safal, the horticulture arm of Mother Dairy Fruit and Vegetable, expects its new packaged frozen jackfruit to generate revenue of Rs. 12 crores from 2018
• Jharkhand produces jackfruit in huge quantities. Jackfruit is very popular in countries like the Philippines. The supply falls short of demand. This could be one area of collaboration and cooperation.
• PricewaterhouseCoopers Private Limited (PwC) was engaged by Skill Council for Mining Sector (SCMS) through a competitive procurement process to carry out “Human Resource and Skill Requirement Study for the Indian Mining Sector (2019-25)”

Skill training centres 

1. Jharkhand Rai University – Equipped with Life Skills development programme that enables students with Spoken English, Body Language, Interview Skills, Public Speaking, Etiquettes and Communication Skills

https://www.jru.edu.in/educational-edge/life-skills/

2. Radha Govind University – Aims to empower the youth with vocational and skill development training

https://rguniversity.org/

3. Usha Martin University – Strives to provide excellent skills, education, research, and entrepreneurship

https://www.ushamartinuniversity.com/

4. Craft PVT ITI – Provides various technical programmes

https://www.ushamartinuniversity.com/

Jharkhand is established as one of the major destinations for economic growth in regard to the sectors of mining, tourism, and the unique production of frozen jackfruit. With many industries present in the state, the government has taken several industry-friendly steps to improve investment. The industries in turn provide skilling and employment opportunities in Jharkhand to the rural people and aid in boosting the economic conditions of the state.