Skill Development and Vocational Training opportunities in Uttarakhand

Did you know that Uttarakhand has different industries that boost the economy? The state mainly focuses on floriculture and horticulture industries as its climatic conditions are prone to the growth of various flora and fauna. Horticulture produce has reached 16.92 lakh MT in the state. The state also achieved mushroom production of approximately 13000 MT. 

Apart from floriculture and horticulture, Uttarakhand also has various other industries such as hydropower, tourism, FMCG which contribute to the state’s economy. 

Industries

1. Agro-based and food processing
2. Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
3. Floriculture
4. Horticulture
5. Pharmaceutics and Aromatic plants
6. Hydropower
7. Tourism
8. Engineering and allied industries
9. Fast moving consumer goods (FMCG)

A walk through the industries and skill requirements in Uttarakhand

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

Agro-based and Food Processing Industry

Uttarakhand has plentiful resources. The major industry houses for this industry are Britannia, Nestle, Pepsi and Heinz. There are four food processing sectors

1. Fruits processing – Uttarakhand is the number one producer of plums, peaches and pear. There is a huge scope for entrepreneurs in fruit processing
2. Spice processing – Uttarakhand is a major producer of ginger, garlic, turmeric and chilly
3. Beverage processing – Various juices are produced in Uttarakhand
4. Walnut processing – Uttarakhand is the second higher producer of walnuts in the country

Employment – The food processing industry ranks fifth in size in the country and it employs 16 lakh workers which are 19 percent of the country’s industrial labour. There are two Mega food parks in Uttarakhand – Patanjali Food and Herbal Park and Haridwar Mega Food Park. The scheme of these Food parks aims at providing employment opportunities to farmers, processors and retailers in the rural sector.

Export – Four agro-climatic zones have the growth of food crops making them available throughout the year and the state infrastructure with two Mega Food parks has the potential for exports. Uttarakhand has doubled its exports in the last five years. In 2017-2018, Uttarakhand exported products worth Rs 10,836 crore and it has increased to Rs 15,914 crore in 2020-21.

Skills required – To explore the needs of training and employment in a sector, skills are very important. Every sector has certain set of skills which a person needs to learn and practice to get employed. Skills required for Food processing industry are technical skills, Engineering, NPD and Process, Production skills, Procurement and Buying.

Floriculture and Horticulture

Uttarakhand has exceptional geographical features, natural resources with dense forests and rivers. Its diverse agro-climate conditions are suitable for floriculture and horticulture. GOI has also approved an outlay of Rs. 61.11 crore for the development of horticulture under ‘Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture.’

1. The state produces fruits like Apples, litchis, mangoes, citrus fruits, tomatoes 
2. Flowers like rose, marigold, lilies, Tuberose, carnation etc., are grown

The Uttarakhand Organic Commodity Board (UOCB) is a government body founded in 2003. UOCB advises and assists the State Government in the overall strengthening of the institutional setup. It is also engaged in the production, processing, marketing and promotion of organic farming in the state. 

The Board provides training for organic farming to equip the farmers with the latest methods and make them aware of the potential market for the commodities. 

Employment – Horticulturist, Gardener, Horticultural Education Supervisor are some of the opportunities in this industry.

Skills required – Knowledge of agriculture, attention to detail, a flair for gardening, knowledge of chemical preservation, technical skills, propagation.

Hydropower Industry

Hydropower is a non-polluting renewable source of energy. Uttarakhand is the state with the third-highest hydropower potential. It is used for water resources towards free energy with electricity efficiency.

1. Uttarakhand has formed Jal Vidyut Nigam to develop and harness the hydro potential of the state. 
2. There are five Yamuna Hydroelectric projects in Uttarakhand which were constructed year by year. 
3. Alaknanda Hydroelectric project 

Skills – Engineering, knowledge of hydroelectric plant, reasoning skills, focus and flexibility, science, math and mechanical skills

Pharmaceutics and Aromatic Plants

There are more than 300 pharmaceutical units in Uttarakhand. At present, the pharmaceutical industry is catering around 20% of the country’s domestic requirement by which the state will become a pharma hub in future. 

Uttarakhand is also blessed with a wide range of cultivated medicinal and aromatic species. More than 200 unique medicinal plants are found in the state through which the aromatherapy and spa industry is being produced by 18000 farmers who are trained. 

1. 27% CAGR in turnover of aromatic sector in Uttarakhand
2. It is the source of authentic and 100% pure natural essential oils
3. Aromatic plants grown in the state are lemongrass, palmarosa, Japanese mint, khuas, cintronela which are extensively used in the cosmetic industry

Employment

The pharmaceutical and healthcare sector is likely to witness an over 20 percent growth in hiring this year and is also expected to generate around 1,34,000 jobs according to the India Skills Report 2016. As per estimates the pharma industry currently employs about 5.5-5.7 lakh people.

Laboratory-based research and development, clinical trials, regulatory affairs, manufacturing, engineering, quality assurance are some of the job opportunities in this sector.

A study was conducted in the Thalisain block of Pauri Garhwal to document the medicinal plants used by the local communities. Medicinal plants were widely used by major sections of the community against common colds, cough, skin diseases, snake bite, fever, joint pains, bronchitis etc.,

Women and local healers called “vaids” have a vital role in environmental management due to traditional knowledge and the use of plants as medicine with undocumented knowledge. It has been observed as one of the best options of sustainable livelihoods for the residents of the area. 

Skills required

Medicinal knowledge, analytical skills, awareness and knowledge in climatic conditions, knowledge of combining fragrances in correct manner, laboratory skills.

Tourism

Uttarakhand inherent the magnificent Himalayas, wildlife parks, the sacred Ganga River, stunning landscapes and adventures that makes it the best tourism place. Tourism provides employment opportunities to the needful as travel guides, taxi drivers, horse riders and much more. It contributes a lot to the economic development of the state. 

1. Aims to promote the state as a global tourist destination
2. It also aims to reach the target of 0.5 million international tourists by 2022

Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

ICT has got special attention from the state government. There are many initiatives that promote the ICT industry in Uttarakhand. There are many employment and skill initiatives provided in this sector. 

1. technology parks like Software Technology Parks in India (STPI) earth station offers high-speed connectivity. 
2. Information Technology & Industrial Development Corporation of Uttaranchal Ltd. (SIDCUL) to the growth of the IT sector in the state
3. Companies like HCL, Wipro, Modi Infotech are some of the key players

Handloom and Handicraft

Uttarakhand has a variety of rugs, carpets, Pashmina shawls, baskets, the folk art Aipan which are made by the people of Uttarakhand. The Uttarakhand Handloom and Handicraft Development Council (UHHDC) came forward for the development and promotion of handlooms and handicrafts in the state. 

Employment and Livelihood

Uttarakhand also has a handicraft village that empowers rural women to be employed. Kartavya Karma is an NGO that helps rural, uneducated women to earn their livelihood in a sustainable manner. It is also famous for “Tamtas” (copper-smith).

The skills that are required to build a career in the domain – Technical skills, knowledge in traditional and contemporary methods, marketing skills, designing skills

Uttarakhand handicraft products now available on Amazon

On the occasion of National Handloom Day, chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat officially started the sale of handloom and handicraft products of Uttarakhand through e-commerce giant, Amazon. He said that it would help local products reach a high number of people. – Times of India, 8th August 2020

Skill training soon to get labour for three crore houses under Indira Awaas Yojana

The rural development ministry, which has the task of building three crore houses in the next seven years under the Indira Awaas Yojana, wants to ensure there is enough skilled labour available to meet this goal.
Funding for the training will come from the capacity building component of the Rs 35,000-crore Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Generation Scheme, said officials aware of the plan. A pilot programme will be launched in Uttarakhand to train 50,000 workers in 35 days. – The Economic Times, 25th December 2015

State launches “Kushal Uttarakhand” app for youngsters

The Uttarakhand Skill Development Mission (USDM) initiated the first-of-its-kind two-day workshop in the city, titled ‘Synergy’ where personnel from over 60 departments of the state and central government who are involved in skilling programs, came under one platform for the purpose of coordinating for the idea and theme of “Skilled Uttarakhand” which intends to improve the skillsets of unemployed youth in the hill state. – Times of India, 29th September 2019

Uttarakhand to get first industrial logistics hub at Pantnagar

In a major relief for industries in Uttarakhand, the state government is all set to inaugurate its first logistics hub in Pantnagar. The hub is the result of SIDCUL and CONCOR. – Times of India, 16th October, 2015

Integrated Livelihoods Support Project

This will support poverty reduction in Uttarakhand, a predominantly rural hill state by promoting sustainable livelihood opportunities for 1,43,400 rural households. Priority target groups include small rural producers, women, scheduled-caste households and young people. 

The project will also support vocational training linked to job placement, with a target of 10,000 training slots, to improve access to employment in the non-farm sector.

State Infrastructure and Industrial Development Corporation Uttarakhand Ltd. (SIIDCUL) was established with the objective of providing overall industrial development of the state.
It has Aroma Parks, Plastic parks and many other industrial parks.

For people to get employed and skilled, skill-based training centres are required.

1. Uttarakhand Skill Development Mission (USDM) – provides free skill development training to youth in 13 districts of urban and rural sectors. http://www.uksdm.org/
2. National Skill Training Institute (NSTI) – provides short-term training for upgrading skills, vocation instructor training programme and more. https://nstidehradun.dgt.gov.in/
3. Balajee Sewa Sansthan – an approach to conduct vocational training courses and provide skill development in tailoring and beautician to women. https://www.bssindia.net/skill-development.php
4. Craft Instructor Training (CITS) – to train instructors in techniques of transferring the hands-on skills. https://nstihaldwani.dgt.gov.in/cits
5. Uttarakhand University of Horticulture and Forestry – it was established in 2011 which is taking new initiatives in the fields of extension, research and certificate level courses for the benefit of staff as well as lay farmers https://www.ibef.org/download/Uttarakhand-March-2021.pdf

Also read: Skill Development and Vocational Training opportunities in Assam https://nationalskillsnetwork.in/skill-development-and-vocational-training-opportunities-in-assam/

Conclusion 

Located at the foothills of Himalayan Mountain ranges, Uttarakhand paves the way for many industries. Floriculture is the main industry as there is an abundant growth of flora in the state. These industries provide skilling and employment opportunities to the rural people and boost the economic conditions of the state.