Hunar Se Rozgar to bring employment opportunities

The tourism ministry is trying to collaborate with the Centre and social welfare organisations on skill development, said Union Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahay while inaugurating the ‘Hunar Se Rozgar’ project here on Monday.

“Hostel facilities for trainees help in attracting youths from rural areas. We hope to train more children who can help us promote tourism,” said Sahay.

The project is a community based employment generation programme, and a joint venture between India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) and NGO Prayas.

It aims to provide employment to 500 children in five ITDC Ashok Hotels in Delhi, Guwahati, Ranchi and Patna.

The first batch comprises 26 students, who will be trained to work in the tourism industry.

Under this programme, ITDC will provide training and jobs to marginalised children associated with Prayas. Under the community-based component of the project, ITDC will provide education, food and other necessary facilities.

“India has set a goal to create 500 million certified and skilled technicians by 2022. This is a huge task and it cannot be achieved without community participation,” said Dr Lalit K Panwar, chairman and managing director of ITDC.

Amod K Kant, general secretary of Prayas, said a majority of the workforce does not have marketable skills to get good jobs.

“We must give vocational training to school dropouts too. Though there are jobs, we do not have a skilled workforce. With this project, we aim to enhance the skills of those who have the zeal to move forward,” said Kant. 

Actor Shatrughan Sinha, who is the president of Prayas Juvenile Aid Centre Society, said, “Increase in family income because of employment through this programme will help in boosting confidence and stabilise the financial position of poor families.”