Skilled youth crucial to building developed Himachal: Rajesh Dharmani

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Dharamshala, July 28

Himachal Pradesh Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani on Tuesday said that government jobs should not be seen as the only career option, stressing that skill-based education and employment will play a crucial role in building a developed and self-reliant Himachal Pradesh.

Addressing mediapersons in Dharamshala, the minister said that for years many young people in the state have remained focused solely on securing government jobs, often spending valuable years preparing for competitive examinations. He said that while the preference for government employment has increased, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic due to concerns over job security in the private sector, the future lies in equipping youth with industry-relevant skills.

Dharmani said the government is working to align technical education and skill development programs with the changing needs of modern industries. He added that the focus should now shift from increasing the number of educational institutions to improving their quality and infrastructure.

“Earlier, development was measured by opening more schools, ITIs and government institutions. Today, the need is to strengthen existing institutions with modern facilities and quality training so that students become job-ready,” he said.

The minister also highlighted the state’s financial constraints, noting that a significant share of government revenue is spent on salaries and pensions, leaving limited resources for development and employment generation. He said several field-level posts that directly support public services remain vacant, while expenditure on higher-level positions continues to rise.

Reviewing previous skill development initiatives, Dharmani said that although substantial investments had been made in creating infrastructure, many skill centers remained underutilized due to the absence of sustainable training programs. He said the government has reviewed such projects, discontinued inactive centers, and completed the registration of new training partners.

He said that once fresh targets are received from the Central Government, Himachal Pradesh will relaunch its skill development programs in a revamped format. Private industries and institutions will also be brought on board to provide youth with practical training and better employment opportunities.

Dharmani expressed confidence that skill-based education would help make Himachal’s youth self-reliant and contribute significantly to the state’s economic growth in the years ahead.