After local job quota bill row, Karnataka cabinet approves Rs 100 crore programme to skill youth

Karnataka

Close on the heels of the controversy over a bill mandating job reservations for locals in the private sector, the Karnataka cabinet, on September 5, approved a Rs 100-crore programme to skill the state's youth.

The state cabinet has approved the 'Nipuna Karnataka' programme with a Rs 10 crore pilot project this year to enhance the global competitiveness of Karnataka's youth.

The Karnataka government had to put the bill proposing job reservations for locals in the private sector on hold on July 17 due to industry backlash.

Also, read: After backlash, Karnataka puts job quota-for-locals bill on hold

“The new mantra of Karnataka government is ‘skill locally and work globally’. The global demand for skilled professionals in emerging technologies is growing rapidly, and Karnataka is positioned to provide the world's most employable talent,” said IT-BT minister Priyank Kharge.

“We are thankful to the cabinet for approving the Rs 100 crore industry and government-led 'Nipuna Karnataka' programme, which will empower our people with cutting-edge skills in emerging technologies to meet global standards. Soon, Karnataka will have the most skilled workforce in the world,” said Kharge.

'Nipuna Karnataka' programme will concentrate on training youth in a range of emerging and high-demand sectors to make them globally competitive. These sectors include Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI-ML), blockchain technology, data science, electronic manufacturing, semiconductor testing and packaging, animation, gaming, AR-VR (Augmented Reality & Virtual Reality), robotics and autonomous system, BPM/BPO (Business Process Management/Outsourcing), banking, accounting, and management, software development (DevOps, Java, Cybersecurity), fintech, data centres and others.

Also, read: Karnataka govt will provide industry-ready skills for locals, no need for businesses to panic: IT minister Priyank Kharge

“We will partner with private companies to provide youth with industry-ready skill sets, increasing their employment opportunities,” said an official.

In November, Kharge said that 100 engineering colleges in the state will be linked with 100 leading information technology companies. The objective is to prepare the younger generation for jobs in IT companies by offering skill development training. He added that adopting these 100 engineering colleges as skill centres will make students industry-ready.

“As there are plenty of jobs in Animation, Gaming, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Automation, Drones, and other areas, it is necessary to evolve a training programme that makes youth skill-ready for such jobs. The teaching and training system needs to be adjusted to meet companies’ demands for skilled workers, enabling local youth to be trained,” he said.

Also, read: Karnataka's 100 engineering colleges to be linked with 100 tech companies to make students industry-ready: Priyank Kharge

Top IT company executives, who attended the meeting, pointed out that despite the large demand for skilled workers, they struggle to provide job opportunities to local youth. They felt that the programme, which focuses on skill development training for technically educated youth, would help make them ready for jobs in the Information Technology sector, according to a statement from the minister's office.