SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today chaired a high-level meeting to review the Comprehensive Action Plan (CAP) for skill development across Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting focused on framing a comprehensive strategy aimed at building a future-ready workforce, enhancing the skills of professionals, and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities in Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by the Additional Chief Secretary, Higher Education, Shantmanu; Principal Secretary, Finance, Santosh D Vaidya; Secretary School Education, Ram Niwas Sharma; Secretary, Skill Development Department (SDD), Kumar Rajeev Ranjan; Managing Director, Skill Development Mission; Secretary, BOTE, Director, Skill Development, representatives from various Universities, besides other senior officers.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary emphasized that true impact of the plan would depend on its effective implementation at the grassroots level.
He underscored the importance of seamless coordination between Education and Skill Development departments, describing it as vital for the success of this ambitious plan.
Outlining the guiding framework, Atal Dulloo stressed that the success of skilling efforts depends on four important pillars; availability of high-quality master trainers, development of robust curriculum, adequate infrastructure and establishment of viable skill models.
Chief Secretary further stressed on setting up of skill models for the attraction and active involvement of the private sector in the mission of building a youth as a future-ready workforce and skilled professionals in J&K.
He made it clear that skill training cannot be managed by just few institutions or individuals. “Without master trainers, even the best-designed frameworks or regulatory models will not succeed,” he asserted.
Chief Secretary further observed that skilling is not the sole responsibility of the Skill Development department. “This is a collaborative effort in which universities, schools, and polytechnics must all contribute in accordance with their strengths,” he maintained.
He also cautioned against unrealistic targets, stressing that instead of aiming for unmanageable numbers, the focus should remain on quality outcomes. “If we are able to skill even five lakh people with quality training, that itself would be a remarkable achievement,” Dulloo said.
The meeting also discussed the need to strengthen polytechnics, regulate private skill institutions, and promote multiple models of skilling suited to different contexts.
Chief Secretary suggested that banks could extend ‘Skill Loans’ to support institutes and entrepreneurs, thereby strengthening the overall skilling ecosystem. He urged the departments to sharpen the plan further by defining course identification processes, qualification norms for master trainers, curriculum design and infrastructure requirements like labs and training facilities.
Highlighting the significance of skilling in ensuring sustainable livelihoods, he called for convergence of efforts from schools, colleges, universities, ITIs and polytechnics while ensuring the active participation of private institutions.
Reviewing the department’s progress under various schemes, Chief Secretary urged the officials to move beyond conventional training and complement skill-building initiatives with the distribution of toolkits and access to credit linkages. “Skill development must translate into empowerment of beneficiaries and enhanced livelihood opportunities,” he remarked.
Asserting on creating a skilled and empowered workforce in J&K, Atal Dulloo reiterated that the core objective is to build an ecosystem where government and private institutions work together to achieve sustainable and inclusive skill development.
