Lucknow: The state cabinet approved a Rs 1,725 crore scheme to develop an integrated skill training and employment network across all 75 districts.The move is part of the state’s vision to turn UP into a global hub for skilled manpower. “The plan is part of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Skill Training and Employment Region Development Scheme. In this, state will be divided into nine zones, with training tailored to local industries, market demand and employment opportunities in India and abroad.”Officials said that the project will be implemented in phases, with the first five skill training and employment centres planned in Lucknow, Kanpur, Gorakhpur, Gautam Budh Nagar and Jhansi.“The initiative seeks to bridge the gap between industry requirements and the availability of skilled workers, particularly in a state with a large MSME base,” officials said.To note, UP has around 96 lakh MSME units, accounting for 14.2% of the country’s approximately 6.77 crore such enterprises.The sector contributes nearly 60% of the state’s industrial production and 45% of its exports, and employs more than three crore people.“The centres will follow a hub-and-spoke model, with each zone assessing workforce requirements across industries, markets and government departments,” officials stated.
