Focus on skills: Hegde tells youth, industries

Union Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Ananth Kumar Hegde on Friday asked the youth and industries to focus on skill development.

Speaking at the inauguration of FKCCI Youth of India Mission here, the minister said the government feels that there is a lack of skill among bureaucrats and officials. He also said that several officials in government departments do not have computer skills.

“This needs to change with the youth. There is a need for a ‘Swachch Bharat’ and it has started from the topmost chair in the last few years,” Hegde said.
The minister, however, admitted that things do not change overnight in a democratic setup. The minister felt the change will come gradually and the youth who are occupying these chairs in government departments should usher in that change.

Hegde recounted an incident where an official told a citizen that he was paid by the government for doing government work and not to public work. “This mentality of officials that ministers will come and go but they will stay must go. This is not skilled India,” he said.

While addressing the youth and industry representatives, Hegde said they should not worry about funds, schemes and government subsidies, but they should have the zeal, capability and confidence to tell the world that if they want to profit and better work, they should invest in India and in Karnataka.

The minister also asked the industry representatives to change their vision and focus more on strengthening skills as the demand for Indian skilled workers is now rising globally.

The minister said India is now being looked at as a skill-based industry rather than a labour intensive industry. Hegde said there is a huge demand from Japan, Israel, Australia and the Scandinavian countries for qualified and skilled Indian nurses.

FKCCI president Sudhakar Shetty said they were actively involved in training the youth and helping them set up industries. The FKCCI is also setting up a Centre for Skills in Dobbaspet.

The 11th edition of Manthan will also be held in January 2019 to award youth with ideas and encourage young entrepreneurs.