THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

NEW DELHI, JULY 20, 2026

The Centre has significantly intensified its skill development initiatives in Odisha's Ganjam and Gajapati districts under the Skill India Mission, with thousands of youths receiving industry-oriented training through flagship programmes aimed at improving employability and addressing evolving workforce demands.

The details were shared by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary in the Lok Sabha on Monday in a written reply to a question raised by Brahmapur MP Dr Pradeep Kumar Panigrahy.

The Minister informed the House that the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship is implementing a range of flagship schemes, including the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS), National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), and the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) through Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), to equip youth with industry-relevant skills and enhance their employment prospects.

According to the data, since the inception of PMKVY till June 30, 2026, a total of 5,688 candidates in Ganjam and 2,180 in Gajapati have been trained under the scheme. The Jan Shikshan Sansthan programme has imparted vocational training to 9,000 beneficiaries in Ganjam and 7,873 in Gajapati since 2018-19. Under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme, 1,511 candidates in Ganjam and 219 in Gajapati have benefited, while enrolment under the Craftsmen Training Scheme through ITIs stood at 46,796 in Ganjam and 4,225 in Gajapati.

To strengthen the skilling ecosystem, the Centre has also expanded training infrastructure across the two districts. Ganjam now has two Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras (PMKKs), 11 PMKVY 4.0 training centres, three Jan Shikshan Sansthan centres, one NAPS establishment, and 38 government and private ITIs. Gajapati has one PMKK, three PMKVY 4.0 training centres, one JSS centre, seven NAPS establishments, and six ITIs.

Chaudhary said the establishment of training centres is based on local demand to ensure that skill development programmes remain aligned with industry requirements and employment opportunities.

Highlighting measures to support Odisha's traditional handloom sector, the Minister said the Textile Sector Skill Council has developed National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF)-aligned courses for Kalamkari artisans, Ikat artisans, handloom weavers, jacquard weavers, textile designers, and handloom entrepreneurs. He noted that these specialised courses are expected to benefit traditional weaving communities, including the renowned Berhampuri Patta silk weavers.

The Minister further informed that the Ministry of Textiles is implementing the Samarth Scheme for Capacity Building in the Textile Sector, a demand-driven and placement-oriented programme aimed at generating employment across the textile value chain.

In the food processing sector, NCVET-recognised awarding bodies have developed 38 NSQF-aligned qualifications, 12 National Occupational Standards, and 15 micro-credentials to provide structured and industry-focused training across multiple trades.

Chaudhary also stated that the Ministry of Minority Affairs launched the Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM-VIKAS) scheme in January 2025 to promote education, skill development, and employment opportunities for minority communities. Training under the scheme commenced during the 2025-26 financial year, further expanding the Centre's efforts to create inclusive and sustainable livelihood opportunities.