A whopping 5,600 rural unemployed youths of Cuttack district are set to be provided placement-linked special training followed by jobs in different companies and organisations by the end of this year.
While more than 300 youths have been screened in the past one week, the Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Agency (ORMAS), which is the nodal agency for the programme, has roped in SHG Federations to carry out its implementation effectively.
The SHG Federations from the panchayat, block and district levels have been entrusted with the job of detecting and screening candidates eligible for special training.
They would also keep track of the selected candidates right from their screening to counselling and final placement with the companies.
The State Government has decided to provide training to 55,000 youths in different trades under schemes such as NRLM, TRIPTI and SGSY-SP to enhance their employability and getting them placed in the organised sector.
The rural youths should be between 18 and 35 years with priority given to unemployed, female, BPL and SC & ST categories. The youths would be provided training in around 22 trades ranging from the basic electrical, mechanic, fitter to niche sectors like hospitality and IT.
The training would be provided by companies and organisations which have entered into an agreement with the Government. The companies would also absorb the trainees after the training is over.
The decision to involve the SHGs actively in the programmes was taken by the district ORMAS as they are rooted to their places with knowledge and commitment to the work. The SHGs would maintain registers of the prospective youths, send them for counselling and training. They also act as information centres on the skill development programme at the village level.
The SHGs would be provided with incentive up to Rs 100 per candidate. The target is to identify at least 400 youths both suitable and potential from each block.
“We have around 5,600 youths for our district and judging by the initial response, the target would be achieved. The counselling would start from November”, Chief Executive, ORMAS, Cuttack, B B Rout said.