Ms. Palika Arora, PCS, Director Technical Education-cum-Mission Director, Chandigarh Skill Development Mission, under the guidance of Ms. Prerna Puri, IAS, Secretary Technical Education, interacted with industry representatives under the aegis of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) to strengthen academia-industry collaboration and further reinforce the skill development ecosystem in Chandigarh.
Addressing the gathering, Ms. Arora emphasized that educational institutions are the primary source of skilled manpower and called upon industry leaders to actively partner with educational institutions through mentoring, handholding, expert lectures, On-the-Job Training (OJT), internships and apprenticeships. She highlighted that such collaborative efforts are essential for bridging the gap between academia and industry and ensuring that students are equipped with industry-relevant skills.
The meeting also deliberated on the Dual System of Training (DST) and the PM-SETU scheme for modernization and upgradation of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). Industry participation was sought to create industry-aligned training ecosystems that can effectively meet the evolving requirements of the job market.
During the interaction, industry representatives suggested establishing a common placement cell for Chandigarh to strengthen industry connect and enhance employment opportunities for students across institutions. Representatives of CII and participating industries assured the Department of their full support and expressed their commitment to collaborating in skill development, workforce development and initiatives aimed at enhancing the employability ecosystem in Chandigarh.
