From Our Correspondent
Amaravati:Andhra Pradesh Minister for Education, IT, and Electronics Nara Lokesh announced that 78,000 youth have secured employment through 406 job fairs held across 175 Assembly constituencies since the coalition government came to power. Lokesh reviewed the Skill Development Department’s performance at a high-level meeting held at his Undavalli residence on Sunday.
The minister emphasized expanding the Industry Connect initiative to link more companies with ITI and Polytechnic students, ensuring large-scale job creation. He also directed officials to focus on training youth in digital and AI technologies in line with global market demand and to align curricula with the needs of new and emerging industries in the state.
Lokesh instructed officials to work closely with central government agencies and global corporations to establish partnerships in advanced technology training. He also suggested identifying major industrial players within the state’s 16 industrial clusters and connecting them directly with ITIs and Polytechnics.
Officials informed the minister that employment rates among Polytechnic graduates have reached 94.6%, and ITI graduates 98%. Thirty industry-aligned blue-collar courses have been introduced, while 12 Model Career Centres have trained over 1.22 lakh youth.
To enhance foreign employment prospects, discussions are underway with English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU) to offer training in German, Italian, Japanese, and Korean languages. Through partnerships like OnCap, over 1,300 candidates have been placed in jobs.
The department has linked 273 industries across 16 sectors with ITIs and Polytechnics under five regional clusters, with 17 companies sponsoring laboratories.
Officials also reported the introduction of 30 add-on courses in ITIs and 23 in Polytechnic colleges focusing on emerging technologies, with 95% Aadhaar authentication of student data completed.
Lokesh revealed that the state is preparing to launch the AI-driven ‘NaiPunya’ skill and employment portal, aimed at connecting job seekers, training institutions, and industries through a unified digital platform.
The meeting was attended by AP Skill Development Corporation MD Ganesh Kumar, OnCap Advisor Seetha Sharma, and CDAP CEO Narayana Swamy.