The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), represented by Secretary General Faiz Ahmad Bakshi, participated in a two-day conference on “Transforming Skilling Ecosystem in Jammu & Kashmir” organized by the Department of Skill Development, Government of Jammu & Kashmir. The event, attended by senior officials including Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo and Secretary Skill Development Rajeev Ranjan, focused on addressing challenges like misalignment between training and industry needs, low placement rates, limited career progression, and fragmented governance.Bakshi highlighted the 32.8% unemployment rate among the 15-29 age group in Jammu & Kashmir, emphasizing outdated curricula at Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and the disconnect between training and industry demands. He advocated for market-oriented skill programs aligned with global standards, particularly in technology, tourism, and handicrafts, and stressed the need for private sector involvement to improve training quality and placement outcomes. KCCI also proposed developing district clusters integrated with skill centers and upgrading traditional skills in handicrafts and cottage industries to meet modern market needs. Strengthening tourism through targeted training and better inter-departmental coordination was also emphasized.The conference featured discussions on successful and stressed skill development models, aligning with India’s Rs. 2 lakh crore skilling initiative for 4.1 crore youth. Delegates from various sectors, including NABARD, SIDBI, TISS, CII, Maruti Suzuki, Tata Group, and NITI Aayog, contributed to the deliberations.
