Cm Inaugurates Nypunyam International Skill Summit And Skill Fiesta 2016

• Govt will Create Scenario Where Skilled Youth of Kerala Can Find Work in State Itself: Chief Minister

Kerala Chief Minister Sri. Oommen Chandy today lamented the situation in the state where the youth find no avenues to display their skills. Stating that the youth of Kerala have been proving that they are skilled and talented, the Chief Minister said if given an opportunity, they would prove that they can grow beyond expectations.

Speaking after inaugurating the Nypunyam Skill Fiesta, held as part of the Nypunyam International Skill Summit and Skill Fiesta 2016 organised by the Ministry of Labour and Skills, Govt of Kerala, Sri Oommen Chandy also announced that the 46 contestants at the Skill Fiesta, apart from the winners, will also be awarded Rs 10,000 each.

Pointing out that the Nypunyam International Skill Summit and Skill Fiesta 2016 is a first such conclave not only in Kerala, but also in India, the Chief Minister said that the event is a major advantage for Kerala. Promising that the government will do all it can do to support skilled and talented youth, he said that the state would look to create a scenario where the skilled youth of Kerala would be able to work in the state itself, and not think of moving overseas.

Stating that the ITIs in Kerala are turning into Centres of Excellence, the Chief Minister reminded the audience that it was on September 12, 2012, that the then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh announced the Students Entrepreneurship Programme at the Emerging Kerala Summit. The announcement had attracted overwhelming response then. The Union Government was able to initiate Start Up projects and policies only three years after Kerala kickstarted its Start Up Village. The Start Up projects in Kerala indeed worthy of applause, he added.

Minister for Labour & Skills Sri Shibu Baby John presided over the function. According to Sri. Shibu Baby John, Kerala is more inclined towards white collar jobs and this needs to change. Kerala, which is known as the Skill Capital of India, should shun the negative attitude shown towards blue collar jobs, he added.

Pointing out that the winners of the contest already have jobs in waiting in different sectors, Sri Tom Jose, Additional Chief Secretary, Ministry of Labour & Skills, said that the Skill Fiesta is an event that brings pride to Kerala. Stressing that today’s youth will drive tomorrow’s India, he said lack of essential skills have been a disadvantage until now. The event aims at addressing this issue he added.

The inauguration of the Skill Fiesta also witnessed a march past of the 12 participating teams. The Skill Fiesta Exhibition was inaugurated by award winning actress Smt. Manju Warrier.

Smt. Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh, Minister of Municipal Administration and Labour, Govt of Meghalaya, Sri Jiji Thomson, Chief Secretary, Govt of Kerala, Sri Abraham Koshy, Chief of Marketing, IIM, Ahmedabad, Sri K Biju IAS, Director, Employment and Training, Govt of Kerala, Sri Rahul IRS, Managing Director, KASE, also spoke.

The Nypunyam International Skill Summit, which be inaugurated on February 6 by Governor Sri. P Sathasivam, at 10.50 am, will run till February 7. The event is an attempt to transform the unskilled workforce from a liability into an asset. While it is an initiative of the Government of Kerala, it will have a national emphasis and impact