Over 500 STEM graduates take employability test under Nipun Karnataka programme

The psychometric and technical online employability assessment for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) graduates under the Nipun Karnataka programme was successfully conducted on Saturday at Shetty Institute of Technology off Kalaburagi–Shahabad Road with over 500 candidates participating in it.

Deputy Commissioner B. Fouzia Taranum and Kalaburagi Mayor Varsha Jane visited the Shetty Institute of Technology to take stock of the assessment process.

Joint Director of the District Industries Centre Abdul Azeem, District Skill Development Officer Nagubai, Kiran Deshmukh and Shiba Mehta were also present.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Rayappa Hunasagi, Assistant Commissioner Prabhu Reddy and Kalaburagi Tahsildar Anandasheela supervised the arrangements to ensure smooth conduct of the test.

The test, managed by Unstop, was organised by the Department of Information Technology and Biotechnology and the Karnataka Skill Development Corporation to address the growing gap between education and employment in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.

The pilot project, being implemented for the first time in the State, targets 2,500 STEM graduates shortlisted from among 10,000 candidates who attended the mega job fair in Kalaburagi in April this year.

“We have signed a memorandum with Unstop to conduct the employability assessment of STEM graduates. Over 1,700 students have already registered and around 500 participated on the first day of the test. Each student will receive a scorecard highlighting areas that need improvement. We will provide targeted assistance to help them strengthen those skills. The ultimate aim is to make our graduates truly employable. We are also engaging with industry partners who can train and recruit these job-aspiring candidates,” Ms. Taranum said after the visit.

“Spearheaded by Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Information Technology and Biotechnology and district in-charge Minister Priyank Kharge, Medical Education, Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Minister Sharan Prakash Patil and Lok Sabha member from Kalaburagi Radhakrishna Doddamani, the initiative aims to identify skill gaps, provide targeted training and prepare candidates for industry-ready employment,” she added.

Unlike conventional skill programmes, the 90-minute test evaluates each candidate’s aptitude, communication skills, digital literacy and behavioural readiness.

Organisers said that the approach will not only enhance a student’s employability but also help employers find job-ready talent and enable educational institutions to align training with real-world industry requirements.