Lokesh directs officials to launch skill portal by September 1

Minister for Human Resource Development (HRD) and IT Nara Lokesh on Friday directed officials of the Skill Development Corporation to launch the proposed ‘Skill Portal’, a platform to connect the youth and industries, by September 1.

Addressing a review meeting, Mr. Lokesh said the portal should include skill assessments and provide the latest information on vacancies in companies to help the youth enhance their skills accordingly and secure employment. He wanted the officials to coordinate with various departments to gather comprehensive data.

The Minister asked the officials to organise job fairs every three months in each assembly constituency and prepare an action plan for effective functioning of the district employment offices.

Interacting with officials of the Overseas Manpower Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (OMCAP), the Minister directed them to hold discussions with embassies of various countries to make overseas jobs and employment opportunities more accessible.

The officials said the State had been granted Central funds to the tune of ₹600 crore for development of Industrial Training Institutes under the ‘Hub and Spoke’ initiative, following the Minister’s recent visit to Delhi.

Secretary, Department of Skill Development and Training Kona Shasidhar, Managing Director and CEO of A.P. Skill Development Corporation G. Ganesh Kumar, Director of College Education Narayana Bharat Gupta, International Skilling and Mobility Advisor Seetha Sharma and A.P. State Skill Development Corporation Executive Director K. Raghu were present.

Effective implementation of UDISE

In a review meeting with the officials of Intermediate Education department, Mr. Lokesh instructed them to ensure effective implementation of the United District Information System for Education (UDISE) in Intermediate education.

The officials told him that 5,00,965 students had enrolled in the first year of Intermediate education in the current academic year. The Minister said every student should be enrolled in either Intermediate or a vocational education courses after Class 10. “No student should be allowed to remain at home,” he said categorically. He said the officials should track the enrolment status of each student and coordinate with the School Education Department.

Briefing the Minister, the officials said the Ákshara Andhra’, a literacy initiative aimed at eradicating illiteracy, would be launched across the State on August 7.

Director of School Education Department V. Vijay Ramaraju, Samagra Shiksha State Project Director B. Srinivasa Rao, Commissioner, Intermediate Education, Kritika Shukla and others were present.

Officials lauded for smooth conduct of DSC

Mr. Lokesh lauded the officials at State and district levels for the successful conduct of the mega District Selection Committee (DSC) examinations. “After seven years, Mega DSC 2025 was conducted smoothly over 23 days to recruit 16,347 teachers,” he posted on ‘X’.

He said that 3.36 lakh candidates had submitted 5.77 lakh applications, with 92.9 % attendance. The Minister said that provisions like SC sub-categorisation and 3% sports quota ensured equity and inclusion and that the initial keys has been released.