MANISH GUPTA
Ranchi, July 13: A total of 1,014 candidates participated in the Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Mela (PMNAM) organised in eight districts of the state on July 11. Of these, 509 candidates were shortlisted by the participating establishments.
“The total number of apprenticeship vacancies (stood at) 6,580,” said the Directorate General of Training (DGT), Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, in its comprehensive report about the outcome of the Monday fair in eight districts.
The districts that took part in the pan-India apprenticeship fair in Jharkhand are Ranchi, Khunti, Ramgarh, Dhanbad, Bokaro, Latehar, Chatra and Hazaribag. Except for Latehar and Ramgarh where the fair was organised at the district employment exchange, rest of the districts held the fair at government-run Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).
The DGT further informed that 25 companies or establishments took part in the fair in Jharkhand and shortlisted 509 candidates for apprenticeship with them. A total of 39 candidates were handed over the apprenticeship contract on the same day.
While Bokaro saw the highest number of candidates registering at their centre with 291 individuals turning up for apprenticeship last Monday, Ranchi topped in the state with the highest number of apprenticeship vacancies (3,865 from five establishments).
The highest number of shortlisted candidates for apprenticeship stood at 123 in Bokaro, followed by 98 in Ranchi. However, Latehar topped in generating the maximum number of apprenticeship contracts (24). It was followed by Dhanbad that generated 15 contracts.
“Apprenticeship works wonders in filling the skill gap that the industry needs. It is a very effective method for youths in Jharkhand and across India to become employable,” said Neha Arora, Director, Department of Labour, Employment, Training and Skill Development, Government of Jharkhand.
The PMNAM was held across 200 different locations in the country on Monday featuring 36 industries, 500 plus trades and over 1,000 companies as part of the Prime Minister’s Skill India Mission, the Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
The fair was attended by candidates with a 5th-6th grade pass certificate, a skill training certificate, an ITI diploma or a graduate degree. They could choose among more than 500 trades like welding, electrical work, housekeeping, beauticians, and mechanic work.
“As apprenticeship mela will be held every second Monday each month, it will be easy for both the candidates and the companies to remember and participate in the fairs,” Arora said, adding that the Jharkhand government is planning to hold a state level apprenticeship awareness seminar cum workshop within a month.
