INTRODUCTION:
The Skill Development Department was established in the year 2015 through the Government of Sikkim, Notification No. 44/Home/2015 dated 21.09.2015. The Department undertakes various programs and schemes aimed at enhancing the overall skills of the youth and younger generation, thereby creating employment and entrepreneurship opportunities. Under the direction of the Hon'ble Chief Minister, Shri Prem Singh Tamang(Golay), who is also the Hon'ble Minister -in-Charge,of the Department.It is located in Shram Bhawan, Sokaythang, Tadong.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:
To develop an appropriate skill development framework by creating opportunities and avenues for the talented youth of Sikkim and to upgrade the existing sectors under the Skill Development Department.
TARGETS:
DIRECTORATE OF CRAFTSMANSHIP TRAINING SCHEME AND EMPLOYMENT (DCTS&E):
The Directorate of Craftsmanship Training Scheme & Employment (DCTSE) was established in 2010 and is led by Additional Secretary-cum-Director. It oversees the operations of all the ITIs in the State, as well as the Hospitality Training Centre located at Sokaythang, Tadong, Gangtok. The ITIs are affiliated with the National Council of Vocational Education Training (NCVET), Directorate General of Training (DGT), Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India, and the State Council of Vocational Training (SCVT). The details os ITIs are as follows:
GOVERNMENT ITI RANGPO, PAKYONG DISTRICT:
The Government ITI, Rangpo was the first ITI set up by the Government of Sikkim in the year 1976. It is situated along NH-10, 38 km from Gangtok at Mining, Rangpo, Pakyong District. The Institute is located midst the growing industrial belt of Sikkim and offers a conducive environment for the conduct of the various trainings. The courses are separated into two branches: Engineering trades and Non-Engineering trades. It has started operations with (14) fourteen trades, out of which 9 are engineering and 5 non-engineering trades. Courses are 2 years or 1-year duration. The Institute helps produce skilled manpower through modern workshops and training under the guidance of qualified and trained Instructors. Information, Education, and Communication programs are held at various Secondary Schools and Block Administrative Centers to create awareness of the Institute among the local youths and to create local entrepreneurs for the future. There is a high demand for skilled manpower from various industries in the State, which has resulted in good placement avenues for the ITI students. Hostels for both boys and girls trainees are available and the trainees can avail of these facilities at a nominal rate. They only have to pay the mess fee.
GOVERNMENT ITI NAMCHI, KITCHUDUMRA, NAMCHI DISTRICT:
The Government ITI, Namchi is located at lower Kitchudumra about 14 km away from Namchi Headquarters, Namchi District. It was established in the year 2008. The Institute was declared as the Model ITI for the State of Sikkim, by the DGT, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India. The Institute provides quality training in technical education through vocational courses for the skill development of the youth. The courses are separated into two branches Engineering trades and Non-Engineering trades. It has started operations with (9) nine trades, out of which 5 are engineering and 4 non-engineering trades. Since the objective of ITI is to provide skilled manpower to the various industries, modern workshops have been constructed for imparting training in different trades.
GOVERNMENT ITI GYALSHING, GYALSHING DISTRICT:
The Government ITI, Gyalshing was established in the year 2010 and was initially operated from a privately rented house at Guruthang. In March 2014, it was shifted to Lower Kyongsa, after the completion of its own infrastructure. The Institute comprises the administrative block and the Workshop Building Block. The courses are separated into two branches Engineering trades and Non-Engineering trades. It has started operations with (8) eight trades, out of which 5 are engineering and 3 non-engineering trades. It imparts Technical job-oriented education to the trainees.
GOVERNMENT ITI KEWZING, NAMCHI DISTRICT:
The Government ITI, Kewzing under Namchi district has been recently established. The courses are separated into two branches Engineering trades and Non-Engineering trades. It has started operations with (06) six trades, out of which 3 are engineering and 3 non-engineering trades, w.e.f. 01st August 2022.
HOSPITALITY TRAINING INSTITUTE (HTI), SOKAYTHANG, GANGTOK DISTRICT:
The Hospitality Training Institute (HTI), Sokaythang is being run by the Regal Institute of Management Studies (RIMS), in the office premises of the Shram Bhawan, Sokaythang.
The Institute offers a “Food Production (Cook General) Course” under the Directorate of Craftsmanship Training Scheme and Employment (DCTS&E). The primary target of this Scheme is to cater to the unemployed youth of the State. They are trained with all the necessary skills required in the food production sector, so as to make them market ready and provide them with employment through job placements and also self–employment opportunities.
STATE INSTITUTE OF CAPACITY BUILDING (SICB):
As per the Cabinet Memorandum No. 417/GOS/DOP/CB-108/09 dated 17.11.2009, the Government, in principle has approved the establishment of the State Institute of Capacity Building (SICB) at Karfectar, South Sikkim to develop skilled manpower for our State. The Institution has taken over the RAC (Regional Administrative Centre) Karfectar on 25th November 2009.
The establishment of a full-fledged State Institute of Capacity Building at Karfectar, Jorethang to impart training, transfer of knowledge, and build stronger capacities of the unemployed youth is perceived with a visionary intent.
The experience analysis and the general trend of unemployment in the State reveal that a vast array of training options has to be made available for the educated unemployed youth. This Institute is a center for youth to learn about their strengths and needs, to prepare for successful and fulfilling lives as adults, to make choices about their futures, and to take up related training after which they may be able to build their careers. In a way this Institute is catering to the needs of youth development which would include strategies related to academic development, delivering quality and standards-based training, work skills, and core values.
The objective is to create a highly-skilled workforce empowered with improved skills, and knowledge for earning their livelihood. It aims to increase the productivity of the workforce both in the organized and the unorganized sectors, seeking increased participation of youth, women, and other disadvantaged sections and to synergize efforts of various sectors and reform the present system.
This Institute caters to all the services that will align the various capacity-building and youth development systems so that the youth of Sikkim are better prepared for promising careers post-school & College. This Institute shall identify existing capacity-building resource institutes and entities and experts within the country and even overseas and establish appropriate national/international linkages and networks that may help in addressing proper and successful transitional needs of the youth of the State.
In the initial stage, this Institute has introduced pilot programs, the experience of which will be examined and on, the basis of which extended programs shall be introduced. As regards the quality of the program, the Institute has designed courses in such a way as to ensure the quality of content, including practical training and effective modes of delivery and on–the–job training, etc. This Institute has established counseling and placement cells to assist students in making the right educational and vocational choices. Apart from assisting trainees, the Institute shall remain in close contact with employing establishments for job placements of trainees.
The Institute, given the Government policy under the Chief Minister’s Youth Empowerment Scheme, selects training Partners /Institute of repute based on parameters of recognition and accreditation of National and State bodies, experience, past performance and placement records, viability of records etc. The Institute awards a Certificate of Competency on successful completion of the course based on actual testing of skills that a student has attained by administering tests/examinations as required under accreditation regulations of Indira Gandhi National Open University and State Board of Livelihood Schools.
On the other hand, the Institute is in the process of acquiring affiliation with reputed, leading and recognized National and International Education and Training Organizations so that the certificates thus issued to its trainees are nationally and internationally recognized. With the setting up of this Institute, the State significant inroads to solving the growing high rates of unemployment amongst the youth of Sikkim. It will truly build self-reliance in our youth who have imbibed values, life skills, and livelihood capabilities and are knowledgeable and assertive in demanding their rights in the workplace – “Empowerment”.
The Institute shall in its fold cater to all categories of youth from School Leavers and youth with different types of physical disabilities, to rural youth and urban youth. The establishment of this Institute is an inclusive policy of the State Government that focuses on the holistic development of young people that will shape their future. It is integrated into the Government’s policy planning frameworks, both in terms of strategic planning and resource allocation under the Chief Minister’s Youth Empowerment Scheme. The integration would prioritize youth development and ensure its implementation and see that the Government’s INTENT becomes a reality.
DIRECTORATE OF CAPACITY BUILDING (DCB):
The Directorate of Capacity Building was established in the year 2007. The Directorate was initially under the Department of Personnel, Administrative Reforms and Training (DoPART), but from 2011 till 2013, it was brought under the Labour Department and from July 2013 onwards the allocation of business of the Directorate was merged with the Human Resource Development Department. It was brought under the Skill Development Department from October 2015.
The Directorate has been focusing on the principle of equal opportunity for all through various capacity-building and skill development programmes. It has facilitated sending the youths of the State for skill development training programs free of cost and more than 80% of them have found placements both in the State and outside the State.
The Directorate mainly looks after the following schemes.