UP has multiple schemes to train youth and foster self-reliance

Lucknow : Since the start of his tenure, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has prioritized self-employment, recognizing the vast potential of Uttar Pradesh’s young and dynamic population. By tailoring training programs to the interests of the state’s youth, their skills can be enhanced, leading to greater self-reliance and numerous benefits. With these skills, the market value of trained youth will rise nationally and internationally.

The government is also extending substantial support to those interested in establishing self-employment locally, offering financial assistance on favorable terms, along with packaging, branding, and market access.

This support is a clear signal of the government’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and economic growth. Initiatives like One District, One Product (ODOP), the Skill Development Program, Vishwakarma Shram Samman Yojana, the Startup Policy, and MSME promotion are key to revitalizing Uttar Pradesh’s economy.

On the one hand, major industrial houses and the government are making significant investments in the state’s industries through investor summits. Establishing the country’s second defense corridor is a testament to this.

On the other hand, CM Yogi is committed to aligning youth skills with the specific needs of regional industries, enabling them to secure local employment or pursue self-employment while supporting their families.

Recently, at the Rozgar Mela in Saharanpur, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced that the government is upgrading 150 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) to global standards in terms of training and facilities. Additionally, the government has allocated Rs 200 crore in the supplementary budget for youth skill development.

The One District, One Product (ODOP) scheme, launched during Yogi Government 1.0, aimed to identify products that would become the signature of specific districts and enhance the skills of artisans associated with these products. The scheme was successful and popular, and later, the central government adopted it.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised the initiative, noting that ODOP products from Uttar Pradesh have become his go-to gifts for foreign delegates during visits and tours. This scheme has benefited the unique products and artisans; around two lakh people are employed locally.

Similarly, the Vishwakarma Shram Samman Yojana, introduced in the Yogi Government’s first term, has been a testament to the government’s commitment to creating employment.

It was designed for barbers, washermen, tailors, blacksmiths, carpenters, cobblers, and basket makers, and has been highly successful. Selected individuals receive training to improve their skills and are provided with toolkits to enhance the quality of their work, ensuring they can command fair prices in the market.

This scheme has bolstered the rural economy by creating employment opportunities locally. According to government data, over one lakh people have found employment through the Vishwakarma Shram Samman Yojana so far.

The startup policy introduced by the Yogi government aims to transform Uttar Pradesh into a hub for the MSME sector and encourage the state’s youth to become entrepreneurs rather than job seekers.

To achieve this, the government has set an ambitious target of establishing 10 lakh MSME units in two phases. This ambitious goal is a testament to the potential and growth opportunities in the state, inspiring the youth and instilling hope for a brighter future.

Currently, Uttar Pradesh leads the nation with approximately 96 lakh MSME units. These efforts have propelled Uttar Pradesh to become the largest economy in the country, contributing 9.2% to the national GDP.

So far, more than two crore people have gained employment in the private and MSME sectors.

The central government, under Prime Minister Modi, is also significantly enhancing the skills of the youth.

During a recent visit to Lucknow, Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (Independent Charge) Jayant Chaudhary announced that the goal for this year is to train three lakh youth in Uttar Pradesh.