Kolkata: State minister of higher education, technical education, training and skill development Jagannath Chattopadhyay sought the cooperation of the gems and jewellery industry to set up a skill university in Bengal, a move that will stop youths’ exodus from the state to gain training and find employment in the sector.Speaking at the 7th ICC Gems and Jewellery Summit held in the city on Wednesday, the minister said, “I invite the gems and jewellery industry to come forward and establish a skill university for the sector in the state. Our govt will cooperate completely for this initiative, including providing land and institutional support. Govt’s objective is to take initiatives that will create job opportunities in the state.”The minister also urged industry stakeholders to work in tandem with govt Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) for apprenticeships, internships and industry-led training. “You can make courses for skill development of the workforce. We must utilise the benefits under central schemes like PM-SETU,” he said.PM-SETU (Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs scheme) is a Rs 60,000 crore initiative launched by the Centre to modernise 1,000 govt ITIs into advanced, industry-aligned skill centres.“Bengal has a rich legacy of skilled artisans, and by bringing their expertise into a formal skill development system, we can strengthen the skilled workforce required for the future growth of the gems and jewellery industry,” the minister said.
