Skill Development and Vocational Training opportunities in Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh’s economic growth mostly lies in the Tourism industry. The state significantly enhances skills in specific industries and provides job opportunities for skilled workers. Apart from Tourism, Himachal Pradesh has various other industries such as Pharmaceuticals, Power, Agro and Food Processing and more which contribute significantly to the state’s economy. With numerous skill development initiatives, it aims to produce industry-ready workers and prepare youth for employment and entrepreneurship.

Major industries in Himachal Pradesh

1. Tourism
2. Power
3. Pharmaceuticals
4. Agro and Food Processing
5. Floriculture and Horticulture
6. Handlooms and Handicrafts

A walk through the industries and skill requirements in Himachal Pradesh

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

Tourism

During 2019, the tourism sector contributed over 7% to the state’s GDP. It aims to increase its share by 8.5% by the end of 2022. Himachal Pradesh is famous for its popular hill stations.

• Employment opportunities 

1. Tour Guide
2. Travel Agent
3. Hotel Manager
4. Taxi drivers and more

• Skills required for the Tourism industry are

1. Organisational skills
2. Flexibility skills
3. Communication skills
4. Networking skills

Himachal Pradesh prepares for skilled workforce in tourism industry – The youth in Himachal Pradesh will now be trained in hotel management, adventure tourism and as tourists guides. Himachal Pradesh Kaushal Vikas Nigam has signed an agreement with the Himachal Pradesh Tourism department to this effect.

                                                                                                      The Economic Times, January 4^th, 2021

Power 

Himachal Pradesh has the potential to contribute 26% of the total hydropower potential of India. It has an estimated hydro potential of 27, 436 MW out of which 24,000 MW is harnessable. The state has a total hydropower generation capacity of 2,910 MW. Himachal Pradesh has huge potential for hydropower as it is naturally blessed with abundant streams and rivers flowing down from towering mountains.

• Skills required for the Power industry are

1. Manual and electrical knowledge
2. Good vision and hearing
3. Manual dexterity
4. Ability to read interpret blueprints and other plant drawings

• Employment opportunities 

1. Solar Design Engineer
2. Operations Analyst
3. Energy Market Analyst and more

Pharmaceuticals

Himachal Pradesh is the largest hub for drug manufacturing units in Asia. Over 300 companies including Dr. Reddy’s, Ranbaxy, Morepen have set up operations in the state. It also has Ayurvedic ways of treatment through its district ayurvedic hospitals, 143 AYUSH Health and Wellness Centres and three Unani Health Centres.

• Skills required for Pharmaceuticals industry are

1. Medicinal Knowledge
2. Analytical Skills
3. Awareness And Knowledge in Climatic Conditions
4. Knowledge Of Combining Fragrances in Correct Manner
5. Laboratory Skills

With the industries department all set to announce a new pharma policy to woo investors from across the country, decks have been cleared to set up a pharma and a food processing park at Chanho block of Ranchi.

                                                                                                     The Times of India, September 14, 2021

Agro and Food Processing

Major crops like rice, wheat, potato, maize etc., are grown in the state. Himachal Pradesh is one of the leading producers of off-season vegetables, apples and other stone fruits. Agro and Food Processing sector contributes about 12.7% to the state’s GDP.

• Employment opportunities

1. Farming
2. Food processing
3. Retailers

• Skills required for Agro and Food Processing industry are

1. Technical skills
2. Production
3. Procurement and Buying
4. Knowledge in Agro-based products

Kangra tea plantations – These plantations are known for their aromatic, exclusive black tea variety that doesn’t require years of tea-tasting experience to appreciate. It also has long turned senile, the terracotta museum houses some incredible specimens of rare terracotta work—tribal masks, sculptures, clay monkeys, toads from around the world.

Floriculture and Horticulture 

In Himachal Pradesh, the per capita cultivated land is only 0.12 hectares while per capita irrigated land is a meagre 0.02 hectares. This situation necessitates a cropping pattern that would ensure highest income per unit area. Commercial floriculture perfectly caters to this necessity.

The Agro-climatic conditions in the State offer opportunities for the development of floriculture to serve the internal off-season market.

Flowers like Marigold, Chrysanthemum, Rose, Carnation are some of the most grown flowers in the state.

• Employment opportunities

1. Horticulturist
2. Gardener
3. Horticultural Education Supervisor

• Skills required for Floriculture and Horticulture industry are

1. Knowledge of Agriculture
2. Attention to detail
3. Flair for Gardening
4. Knowledge of Chemical Preservation
5. Technical Skills
6. Propagation

Handlooms and Handicrafts

The classical traditions and cultures of Himachal Pradesh are unique and are in contrast. The statement is also true for its rich handloom The dialect and the craft of every region are different in Himachal. Some of the primary occupations in Himachal include Handicraft and Handlooms where a number of cooperative societies are carrying out work in the Kullu, Manali and Kinnaur Valley.

• Employment opportunities

1. Weaver
2. Entrepreneurship
3. Merchandiser

• Skills required for Handlooms and Handicrafts industry are 

1. Weaving
2. Knowledge of textiles
3. Needlework

Also Read: Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Opportunities in Chhattisgarh – https://nationalskillsnetwork.in/skill-development-and-entrepreneurship-opportunities-in-chhattisgarh/

Unique information

• Himachal Pradesh Kaushal Vikas Nigam (HPKVN) – To increase the employable skills and livelihood potential of the state’s young generation and equip them for growth in a changing job environment in India.
• Himachal Pradesh prepares for skilled workforce in tourism – Keen to introduce a skilled workforce in tourism, the youth in Himachal Pradesh.
• Himachal Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission – To enhance the economic opportunities and empowerment of rural poor with focus on women and marginalized groups in Himachal Pradesh.
• Startup Himachal – Self-employment/employment generation and income generation; To promote new ideas/ products and processes suitable for commercialization through startups and to Set up Incubators/Incubation Centers in the state.
• Regional Directorate of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship – This Directorate coordinates with Organizations/Departments under central /state government for Implementation and Monitoring of various schemes of the Directorate General of training (DGT) a wing of Ministry Of skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
• Department of Technical Education – Realization of human resource potential of Himachal Pradesh to its fullest in Technical and Vocational education sector with equity and inclusion.
• COVID-19 impact on Himachal Pradesh – The Covid-19 pandemic may have crushed the hospitality industry worldwide but international travel has been a blessing in disguise for hospitality in Himachal Pradesh. More specifically, homestays have thrived September onwards even as hotels are barely staying afloat.
• Development projects – the foundation stone of four mega hydroelectric projects costing Rs. 11,000 crore has been laid or even inaugurated here. Sawra-Kuddu project, Luhri project, Dhaulasidh project or Renukaji project are going to meet both the aspirations of Himachal and the needs of the country. Sawra-Kuddu Dam is the first such dam in Asia in the shape of a piano. Himachal will earn around 150 crore rupees every year with electricity generated from this dam.
• Nauni University launches eight skill development programmes – Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Nauni has launched eight skill development programmes in collaboration with Himachal Pradesh Kaushal Vikas Nigam (HPKVN)
• Rural Development Department – The State Rural Development Department is engaged in the implementation of rural development and poverty alleviation programmes.

Best government ITI in Himachal Pradesh for 2022

1. Government ITI, Berthin

• Type: Government
• Address: Berthin, Bilaspur
• Trades: Computer operator and programming assistant, dressmaking, electrician, electronics mechanic, fitter, welder

2. Government ITI, Bilaspur

• Type: Government
• Address: Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh
• Trades: Carpenter, computer operator and programming assistant, driver cum mechanic, electrician, fitter, mechanic motor vehicle, plumber, stenographer and secretarial assistant (Hindi), textile wet processing technician, welder

There are many such ITIs in Himachal Pradesh. You can read more at https://www.apnaahangout.com/government-iti-himachal-pradesh/

Skill training centres

1. National Skill Training Institute (W), Shimla – It focuses on the development, improvement and effective implementation of various training programmes. The institute has been equipped with the latest technology/infrastructure as per prevailing demands for various courses – https://nstiwshimla.dgt.gov.in/about-us
2. Himalayan Skill Development Centre – Himalayan Group of Professional Institutions, Kala Amb encourages innovation in education and entrepreneurship. It provides the drive, intelligence, and contemporary infrastructure to all its stakeholders and inspires them to be inventive, ingenious, and imaginative, whether it be education or entrepreneurship – https://hgpi.in/himalayan-skill-development-centre/
3. TVC Handicrafts cum Vocational Training Centre – At TCV Handicrafts, they are aiming to give recent Tibetan refugees a concrete education in traditional Tibetan arts and crafts, and to help them seek gainful employment opportunities in exile. They have 6 different training sections: Tailoring, Woodcarving, Bakery, Screen printing, Thangka Painting, and Carpet Weaving – https://www.indiamart.com/tcv-handicraft/aboutus.html

Himachal Pradesh is one of the fast-developing states in India as it has a wide range of industries through which the youth get opportunities to get skilled and employed as per their interest.