Srinagar, Nov 13 (HS): Neha Giri, Director of the Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) Scheme under the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs, reviewed the scheme’s education and non-traditional skilling components during a two-day visit to training centres in Bijbehara in Anantnag and Karan Nagar in Srinagar, an official statement said.

At the education centre run by the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD) at Darul Aloom Noori Irfam in Guree, Bijbehara, she interacted with trainees, trainers and staff. She stressed the importance of open-school learning in helping school dropouts resume and complete their education, and encouraged trainees to make effective use of the opportunity.

Under the education component, eligible dropouts are given a bridge programme to prepare for open schooling at the Class VIII, X and XII levels, with assessment and certification by the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) or other institutions approved by the Ministry. The trainees shared their learning experiences and their aspirations to continue their studies.

In Srinagar, the Director visited the PM VIKAS centre run by ITI Limited at Karan Nagar under the non-traditional skilling component. She inspected the facilities and interacted with trainees enrolled in a course for the job role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technocrat, aligned with the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF).

She emphasised the growing importance of industry-relevant technical and practical skills in emerging sectors such as AI, and urged trainees to make optimum use of the training to improve their employability and career prospects. She also encouraged them to complete their training, assessment and practical exposure successfully.

The non-traditional skilling component offers NSQF-aligned, placement-linked training in emerging sectors, with industry exposure, certification, on-the-job training and employment linkages. The training is free for eligible beneficiaries, with financial support from the Ministry of Minority Affairs.

Officials of the Social Welfare Department attended the visits, including Mushtaq Ahmad Maqdoomi, Deputy Director, Social Welfare, Kashmir, and Aadil Iqbal Lone, District Social Welfare Officer, Anantnag. Mukhtar Ahmad, District Social Welfare Officer, Srinagar, was also present. NIESBUD was represented by Aabid Nisar Shah, State Head for J&K, and ITI Limited by coordinator Ashfaq Ahmad. Kahkashan Anjum, State Engagement Officer for J&K and Ladakh, represented the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).

The statement said the visit allowed the Ministry to interact directly with trainees, trainers, implementing agencies and J&K government officials and to review the scheme’s implementation on the ground.

PM VIKAS is a Central Sector Scheme aimed at the socio-economic and educational development of minority communities through skilling and training, education, women’s leadership and entrepreneurship, and infrastructure development.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Zahoor Hussain Bhat