Special Article: World Youth Skills Development Day: Empowered Youth Through Skills, Strong Steps Towards Developed Chhattisgarh
Empowered Youth Through Skills, Strong Steps Towards Developed Chhattisgarh
"Skill is the greatest asset in today's time. For a youth with talent, there is no dearth of opportunities." Realizing this very thought, the Chhattisgarh government is continuously working through the Chief Minister's Skill Development Scheme to provide employment-oriented and modern skill training in line with industry demand to the state's youth, making them self-reliant.*
On the occasion of World Youth Skills Development Day, it would be appropriate to say that Chhattisgarh has achieved remarkable success in the field of skill development. In the state, effective efforts are being made not only to provide training to the youth but also to ensure employment along with quality training.
Skill Training Provided to Approximately Five Lakh Youth
Since the inception of the Chief Minister's Skill Development Scheme, skill training has been provided to 4,94,330 youth of the state in various employment-oriented trades. Out of these, 2,74,934 youth have been linked to employment. Currently, under the scheme, high-quality training is being conducted across the state through 375 vocational training providers (199 government and 176 private) in line with the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF).
In the financial year 2025-26, 9,418 youth have been trained so far, out of which 7,528 youth have gained employment, while 6,679 youth are currently undergoing training in various courses.
Modern Curricula in Accordance with Changing Times
The state government has made extensive changes in skill training to connect youth with future technologies. Along with traditional trades, state-of-the-art courses of the 21st century such as Electric Vehicle (EV) Maintenance, Drone Operator, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning (AI-ML), Cyber Security, Suryamitra (Solar Energy) are now being conducted.
This year, the 'Water Distribution Operator' course has been specially launched, under which a plan has been made to directly connect 2,770 youth to employment by providing multi-skill training.
Special Emphasis on Quality
Skill development in Chhattisgarh is not limited to training alone; several important steps have been taken to ensure its quality.
Now, training of trainers (Training of Trainers-TOT) certification along with educational qualification and experience is mandatory for every instructor. This has led to a significant improvement in the quality of training.
At least seven days of on-the-job training (OJT) is mandatory for every trainee before assessment, so that they can gain practical experience of the actual working of industries.
Face-based online biometric attendance system has been implemented in training centers. Also, IP-based CCTV cameras have been installed in all training centers, through which training activities are continuously monitored. These arrangements have increased transparency and improved the quality and discipline of training.
Guarantee of Employment Along with Training
The biggest feature of the Chief Minister's Skill Development Scheme is the special focus on the employment of youth after training. Before granting permission to conduct training, each vocational training provider's empoyment providing agencies are assessed. Only after assessment is permission granted to conduct training. Additionally, 60 percent of the payment to training centers is made only after the placement of trained youth is ensured. This system encourages training institutions to provide employment-oriented training.
Skill Development Reaching Youth in Bastar
To bring skill development to the youth of remote and tribal areas of the state, steps are being taken to establish Skill Development Centers (SDC) in every development block of Bastar division. The Assistant Mason course has already been started in Bijapur district. Registration of six rehabilitation centers, including Bastar, Dantewada, Narayanpur, Sukma, Kanker, and Bijapur, as vocational training providers has been done, and other centers are also being added soon.
Employment Potential Increasing Through Partnership with Industries
The state government has signed important agreements with reputed institutions to provide training in accordance with the requirements of industries. Mahindra & Mahindra has started tractor mechanic training, under which 101 youth have been trained so far and 60 youth are undergoing training. In collaboration with Cironix Technology Pvt. Ltd., training is being imparted in five job roles of electric vehicle technology at the Livelihood College in Raipur. With the support of Nandi Foundation, training in employability skills is being provided to socially and economically disadvantaged women, under which 1,142 youth have been trained. In the tourism and hospitality sector, Laundry Supervisor and other employment-oriented training have been started in partnership with W Laundry Bag. In the health sector, advanced skill training modules related to cardiac and health services are being developed in collaboration with Shri Satya Sai Health and Education Trust.
Livelihood Colleges Becoming Strong Centers of Skill Development
Livelihood colleges operating in the districts of the state have become a major medium for skill development for the youth today. Since 2013, 68,552 youth have been provided training in these colleges. Out of these, 28,820 youth have gained employment and 10,632 youth have become self-employed. Thus, a total of 39,452 youth have been linked to livelihoods. Currently, 2,413 youth are undergoing training. Similarly, under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, 13,188 youth have been trained through Livelihood Colleges from 2024 to date.
Expansion of Modern Infrastructure
Livelihood college buildings are complete and operational in 26 districts of the state. Land allotment and building construction processes are also progressing rapidly in new districts. 26 girls' hostels and 20 boys' hostels are complete and operational in the state. Construction and land allotment work for the remaining hostels are in progress.
Center of Excellence to be Built in Nava Raipur
The Chhattisgarh government is taking another important step towards preparing youth for national and even international level competition.
A Livelihood Center of Excellence will be established in Nava Raipur, where world-class skill training will be provided in engineering and non-engineering fields in line with industry demand, with state-of-the-art machinery, modern laboratories, and special workshops. A budget of Rs 2 crore has been provided for land lease agreements for this ambitious project in the financial year 2026-27.
New Direction of Self-Reliance Through Skill Development
The experience of Chhattisgarh on World Youth Skills Development Day shows that skill development is not just a training program, but a powerful campaign to make youth confident, self-reliant, and employable. Through new technologies, quality training, partnerships with industries, a system to ensure employment, and modern infrastructure, Chhattisgarh is emerging as an effective model of skill development in the country. In the coming years, this initiative will not only bring transformation in the lives of millions of youth but will also play a significant role in building a developed Chhattisgarh and a developed India.
Chhattisgarh's Identity at the National Level
Youth of the state are getting opportunities to showcase their talent at the national level. In the district and state-level India Skills competition organized in 19 skill trades in 2025-26, 3,327 youth participated, out of which 381 participants reached the state level. In the East Zone Regional Competition, Bhubaneswar, 38 participants from Chhattisgarh performed excellently, winning a total of 12 medals, including 01 gold, 02 silver, 05 bronze, and 04 Medals of Excellence.
While 03 participants from the state represented in the national level India Skills competition, 01 participant received the Medal of Excellence. The Government of India also honored Chhattisgarh with a certificate of appreciation for its excellent performance and successful organization.