Lucknow: The “Pathway to Employment Summit,” aimed at empowering youth through skill development, promoting women’s employment, fostering startups and entrepreneurship, and contributing to economic growth, was held on Thursday at the Indira Gandhi Pratishthan, Lucknow. The summit was organized by the Department of Vocational Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Uttar Pradesh; Department of Technical Education; and Medha Foundation.
The event saw participation from over 110 senior executives and representatives of renowned industrial organizations. It served as a platform to strengthen partnerships among education, industry, and the government, paving the way for new opportunities in employment and entrepreneurship.
Key Highlights and Speeches
Chief Guest’s Address
Dr. Hariom, Principal Secretary, Department of Vocational Education, Skill Development, and Entrepreneurship, Uttar Pradesh, was the chief guest. Welcomed with a bouquet and a ceremonial shawl by Additional Director Rajendra Prasad, Dr. Hariom emphasized the challenges of effectively implementing policies.
“Formulating policies is easy, but their effective implementation is the real challenge. We must focus on agro-industries and small businesses to generate employment in rural areas. Empowering youth through skill development is a top priority of the state government,” he said.
Industry-Education Collaboration
Narendra Bhushan, Principal Secretary of the Department of Technical Education, stressed the importance of aligning skill development programs with industry requirements.
“A robust synergy between industry and education sectors can offer better employment opportunities to youth. Industries must actively support initiatives aimed at enhancing employability,” he added.
Modernizing Training Programs
Avinash Krishna Singh, Director General of Technical Education, highlighted the need to update diploma and technical courses in line with industry needs.
“Training programs should directly cater to job opportunities. Industrial training and curriculum updates are critical for the future,” he said.
Focus on Women’s Employment
Neha Prakash, Director of Training and Employment, underscored the importance of promoting women’s participation in the workforce.
“Women’s involvement is vital for the nation’s progress. Industries should prioritize hiring women and ensure fair wages for ITI graduates to boost their performance,” she said.
Practical Training and Industry Visits
F.R. Khan, Director of IRDT (Institute of Research, Development, and Training), emphasized the significance of practical training and on-the-job experience for candidates.
“Industry visits and hands-on training significantly enhance the efficiency of trainees. We urge industries to collaborate in this direction,” he noted.
Medha Foundation’s Role
Christopher Turillo, Co-founder of Medha Foundation, elaborated on the foundation’s role in bridging the gap between industry and training institutes.
“Our foundation acts as a bridge, enabling youth to access better opportunities in skill development and employment,” he stated.
Attendees and Significance
The summit was attended by prominent figures, including Manpal Singh (Additional Director, Training/Apprenticeship), D.K. Singh (Director, Technical Education), joint directors from various divisions, ITI principals, and Medha Foundation team members.
The event not only reinforced the importance of skill development but also highlighted the need for collaborative efforts between government, industry, and educational institutions to unlock employment and entrepreneurial potential in Uttar Pradesh.
