Srinagar, July 16: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) actively participated in the two-day conference on "Transforming Skilling Ecosystem in Jammu & Kashmir", organized by the Department of Skill Development, Government of J&K. Secretary General Faiz Ahmad Bakshi represented KCCI, voicing critical concerns regarding the region’s skill development framework.
The event was attended by top officials, including Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Principal Secretary Finance Santosh Vaidya, Secretary Skill Development Rajeev Ranjan, and Director Skill Development Shahzad Alam. The conference focused on bridging the gap between skill training and industry demands, enhancing placement outcomes, and developing a cohesive skilling roadmap.
Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the government's commitment to align regional skilling programs with India's national mission, which aims to upskill 4.1 crore youth under a ₹2 lakh crore plan.
In his address, Faiz Ahmad Bakshi highlighted the alarming 32.8% unemployment rate among youth aged 15-29 in J&K (as per MOSPI), stressing that outdated ITI curricula and poor alignment with market demands are contributing factors. He urged the government to modernize training content, improve quality, and integrate global industry standards, particularly in key sectors like technology, tourism, handicrafts, and emerging industries.
Bakshi also advocated for:
Greater private sector involvement in curriculum design and delivery.
Market-driven skilling models with clearer career progression pathways.
Establishing district-level clusters with skill centers to support local economies.
Reviving traditional industries, including value-added handicrafts and innovations in Jamawar designing.
Strengthening Tourism Development Authorities to convert the growing tourism sector into a major employment generator.
The conference also featured presentations from Ayushman Bharat – PMJAY, Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyaan, and participation from leading institutions and corporate entities like Maruti Suzuki, Tech Mahindra, Tata Group, FICCI, CII, NITI Aayog, and more.
KCCI’s intervention underscored the urgent need for reform in skilling policy, ensuring it becomes a real engine of youth empowerment and economic resilience in Jammu & Kashmir.