New Delhi: The Centre is planning to extend “Udaan”, a special scheme launched to help youths from Jammu and Kashmir to get jobs in top companies, to smaller towns in the state as not too many from the two main cities are willing to take up offers due to low entry-level pay. As part of a new policy, to be launched after the forthcoming Assembly elections, companies will be encouraged to go beyond Jammu and Srinagar cities and even remote locations in the state to organise employment camps and hire locals.
The fresh attempt will be initiated after a study has shown that youths from Jammu and Srinagar are averse to taking up corporate jobs in metros as the initial remuneration is just Rs 20,000-Rs 25,000 per month.
“Youths living in cities like Srinagar and Jammu are not keen to leave the state for Rs 20,000 or Rs 25,000 as there are avenues where they can earn that much by staying at home. But the situation may not be the same for someone living in Anantnag or Baramulla or a small village,” a Home Ministry official said.
Based on the recommendations of the Expert Group constituted by the Prime Minister under the Chairmanship of C Rangarajan, the Centre launched the scheme Special Industry Initiative for Jammu and Kashmir “Udaan” in 2013 in the nature of partnership between the corporates and Ministry of Home Affairs.
The scheme is being implemented by National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). The programme aims at providing the skill and enhancing the employability of 40,000 unemployed youths of the state who are graduates. According to the scheme, the identified companies will screen and select students from the state. The duration, place and nature of training will be decided by the company after considering the profile of the candidates and their skill gap. After completion of the training, the company will take necessary measures for placement of the trainees in association with NSDC.
The scheme has already helped provide jobs to 1,785 youths from Jammu and Kashmir with companies including Accenture, Tata Consultancy Services and Wipro, the official said. Nearly 5,300 youth of the state are currently under training with various corporates.
More than 54 companies have already committed to train nearly 68,738 graduates and post-graduates in Jammu and Kashmir over the next four-five years and later offer them jobs as well if they fit the bill.
The cost of the training, boarding and lodging, is borne by the central government. If a candidate is selected for a job after completing training, the government reimburses the training cost to the company.
Companies which have tied up with the Centre to train youths in Jammu and Kashmir over the next few years also include Bharti Infratel Limited, TENVIC, a division of Anil Kumble Sports Promotion; Fidelis Corporate Solutions; MTC Mount Talent Consulting; and Manpower Group, the world leader in innovative work solutions.
Yes Bank, Religare and public sector units including NTPC, BSNL, ONGC, HAL and BHEL are among other companies that have committed to train the youths for corporate jobs in metros.
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