By Apurva Bhatt

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Thursday announced to set up a full-fledged university in Maharashtra to impart an integrated skill development training in specialised sectors.

The aim will be to generate trained workers based on the requirements of industries, agriculture, hospitality and service sectors among others. It will also incorporate community courses. The chief minister’s ambitious project promises employment to 5 lakh youths every year. There are 35 lakh registered unemployed youths in the state. According to a detailed survey, there is a requirement of 5.46 crore skilled workers in nine critical sectors- construction (8 lakh), manufacturing (34 lakh), textile (2.5 crore), automobiles (55 lakh), hospitality (2 lakh), health (3 lakh), organised retail (1.73 crore), IT/ ITCS (16 lakh), agriculture (5 lakh).

Fadnavis said, “The government has a two-pronged policy to facilitate infrastructure to ensure skilled workers and also growth in industries and service sectors. There is a huge mismatch between the industrial requirements in multiple sectors and unemployed youths.” The chief minister, who holds the portfolio of skill development department, said, “My endeavor is to integrate human resources with industries, service sectors and state growth. The skill development university will provide a platform for the youth not only to take specialised training but also help them channelise their knowledge in jobs accordingly.”

He added, “Even after completing engineering courses, youths are looking for jobs. Under the integrated project management, we would provide platform to ensure the human resources are absorbed in the required job sectors.”

Stating that the previous government had overlooked this aspect of matching human resources with market requirements, Fadnavis said, “In 2010, the state skill council, chaired by the chief minister, was set up. It remained on paper. Not a single meeting was convened to unravel the plans and policies. After becoming the chief minister, I held a meeting of the skill council in the first month.”