The Business Bytes
TBB BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, MARCH 5, 2021
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday inaugurated India’s first and one-of-its-kind World Skill Centre (WSC) at Mancheswar Industrial Area here, describing it as a milestone that adds a new chapter in skill ecosystem of Odisha.
The WSC will be a premier institute to impart advanced skills and create globally employable youth in the State, said Patnaik.
Built over an area of 4.5 lakh square feet at an investment of Rs 1,342.2 crore on a cost sharing basis with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) under the Odisha Skill Development Project, the WSC will provide skills training to 3000 students in eight trades.
The courses include Facility Technology in Mechanical Services, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Vertical Transportation, Mechatronics, Electrical Technology, Precision engineering and Hair and Fashion Design.
The Odisha government has partnered with Institute of Technical Education Services (ITEES), Singapore to support Odisha Skill Development Authority (OSDA) in operationalising the centre.
Focusing on future of youth, the Chief Minister said that the State Government is investing in the future of youth by creating infrastructure and mechanism for making them future-ready which will help them stay ahead of the competition in the professional world.
“Our aim is to meet the aspirations of the youth as well as create a pool of increased opportunities for them. We are intensely investing in the future of youth by creating infrastructure and mechanism for making them future ready,” he said.
“The WSC will further support our endeavour by providing advance skill training to our youth and prepare them for competing at global level. It will take a lead in transformation from present to future for all ITIs and polytechnics in Odisha.”
State Minister for Skill Development and Technical Education Premananda Nayak said that with setting up of the WSC, the youth of Odisha will have huge competitive advantage at global level.
Speaking on the occasion, OSDA Chairman Subroto Bagchi said that the WSC would add a new dimension to promote Skilled-In-Odisha as a global brand. The State will create Odisha Skill Vision 2030 that will guide all future efforts in the skill development sector.
Among others, State Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra, SDTE Secretary Sanjay Kumar Singh and industry leaders were present at the event.
