What was announced
Officials familiar with the matter confirmed that the Assam Skill Development Mission has not released any new recruitment notifications as of the current date. While the mission typically offers various positions in areas such as program management, skill training, and administrative support, there are no ongoing application processes for these roles at present, according to sources. Aspiring candidates are advised to regularly check the official ASDM website for any future announcements.Why it matters
The Assam Skill Development Mission plays a pivotal role in the state’s socio-economic landscape, particularly in tackling the persistent challenge of unemployment among its youth. As of June 30, over 15.43 lakh people are registered as unemployed across Assam, according to data tabled in the Assam Assembly by the Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship ministry. This figure highlights the urgent need for effective skill development initiatives that can bridge the gap between educational qualifications and industry demands. The state’s youth unemployment rate stands at 12.6 per cent. ASDM’s efforts are crucial in equipping young individuals with market-relevant skills, thereby improving their employability and promoting entrepreneurship. The mission’s programs aim to create a pool of skilled manpower capable of contributing to various sectors of the state’s economy. Without continuous and robust skill development, the challenge of absorbing the growing workforce into productive employment opportunities would intensify, officials said.Background
The Assam Skill Development Mission was established by the Government of Assam under the aegis of the Skill, Employment & Entrepreneurship Department. It was registered in 2015 under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, and commenced its operations in January 2017. The mission was conceived as an apex body to coordinate all skill development initiatives across the state, encompassing both public and private sector efforts. The primary vision behind ASDM’s formation is the capacity building of unemployed youth and the delivery of quality skill training to facilitate meaningful employment. Its long-term objectives include addressing issues of unemployment and poverty, ensuring optimal utilisation of the state’s human resources, improving employability, creating skilled manpower, generating productive assets, and stimulating the rural economy. The mission also aims to uphold the dignity of labour by focusing on employment that positively impacts Assam’s socio-economic status. This aligns with national initiatives like the National Skill Development Mission and Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), which aim to create a skilled workforce across India.Key details
ASDM has launched several key initiatives to achieve its objectives. One significant program is the Placement Linked Skill Development Training Program (PLSDTP), a state-funded scheme that provides short-term training to youth and connects them with employers. As of 2021, the mission had empanelled 155 training partners operating through 358 training centres across 31 sectors. The mission also implements centrally sponsored schemes like Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 2.0 (PMKVY 2.0), which enables youth to acquire industry-relevant skills for sustainable livelihoods. Another initiative, Recruit-Train-Deploy, allows industries to train and develop skills specific to their requirements before engaging the trained individuals. ASDM has also collaborated with the Institute of Technical Education – Education Services (ITEES), Singapore, as a global knowledge partner to establish the North East Skill Centre (NESC). Additionally, the mission introduced DAKSHA (Digital Access to Knowledge and Skilled Human Resource of Assam), a platform aimed at digital skilling. By the end of the fiscal year 2021, the Assam government had trained approximately 650,000 candidates under the PMKVY Scheme, about 65,000 youths through the DDU-GKY Scheme, and around 85,000 candidates under the state-sponsored PLSDTP. Overall, ASDM has registered 152,722 candidates, certified 67,415 of them, and placed 20,166 individuals in various roles. Typical job profiles associated with ASDM’s operations include Skill Development Officers, Project Assistants, Training Coordinators, Administrative Assistants, Accounts Officers, and Field Officers. These roles are crucial for the planning, execution, and monitoring of skill development programs across the state.Reactions
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma recently underscored the state government’s commitment to skill development. During a visit to the North East Skill Centre in Guwahati, the Chief Minister said that preparing Assam’s youth for global employment opportunities while building an “Atmanirbhar” and prosperous Assam through skill development, employment, and entrepreneurship remains one of the government’s foremost priorities.He also noted that the state government has invested around ₹1.5 lakh per trainee in four phases towards education and training to facilitate employment in industries and other establishments in Japan. Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship Minister Biswajit Daimary was also present during the Chief Minister’s visit, reinforcing the government’s focus on these initiatives.“The government was making sustained efforts to connect the state’s youth with international employment opportunities, particularly through Japanese language training under the CM Flight Scheme,” Chief Minister Sarma said.