Ahmedabad: The Gujarat Assembly collectively passed the ‘Kaushalya’ the Skill University Bill 2021, which will prepare for setting up the “Kaushalya” Skill University that will zero in on working with and advancing expertise improvement, business, and ability-based training in the state. Notwithstanding, the resistance Congress suddenly erupted at the public authority on its “unfulfilled guarantees” of occupation creation during the conversation of the Bill in the Assembly. Focusing on rising joblessness in the state, Congress scrutinized the need to set up another university.
Presenting the bill, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Brijesh Merja, said a number of industries are setting shops in Gujarat when technologies are fast emerging, and specialised manpower was required for the same. “The state is experiencing a need for skilled manpower due to the ever-changing technology across industry sectors. Given these circumstances, “Kaushalya” Skill University will accelerate quality skill development aligned to industry demand, and institutionalise robust frameworks for teaching, training, and research, to meet the dynamic demands of industry and aspirations of the youth. Nearly two lakh youths will be trained and skilled under this university,” Merja said.
However, Congress MLA Kirit Patel from Patan questioned the Gujarat government on the manner in which these “unique” universities have been increasing in the state, but was not providing employment opportunities.
“The question is, are the graduates employed even after spending lakhs. We already have different technical institutes like ITIs, the Gujarat Technological University, the Agriculture University. I don’t understand why we need a different university when these universities are running technical courses already; are we bringing something new? Attempts should be made to strengthen the technical board that already exists in Gujarat and upgrade ITI colleges,” Patel said.
In response, former education minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama said the government was giving a platform to the youth to upscale their skills. “The Student Startup and Innovation Policy is in place for the past five years and is heading towards its second phase. The youth in today’s Gujarat are not job seekers, but job creators and job givers,” he said.