Mumbai, Oct 8 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Chief Minister's Short Term Employability Programme (STEP) on Wednesday, designed to deliver industry-relevant and employment-focused training to the youth of Maharashtra.

The initiative, implemented by the state Department of Skill, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, aims to equip 75,000 trainees with employable skills this year, expanding to approximately 1 lakh trainees in the subsequent year.

As per Minister of Skill, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Mangal Prabhat Lodha, the program's inauguration will take place at 600 locations across the state, featuring artisans from the Vishwakarma community, local artists, and experts in traditional trades as honored guests. This initiative recognizes their contributions and promotes respect for traditional skills.

“Through this program, 2,506 units will be established within 419 government ITIs and 141 government technical schools. The initiative decentralizes skill education, aligning courses with local demand and public interest. Each district's institution management committee will oversee these courses, enhancing local engagement and accountability in education planning, execution, and quality control,” stated Minister Lodha.

He further emphasized that the program's primary goal is to provide contemporary skill training to the youth in response to evolving industry demands, fostering self-reliance. It also seeks to create self-employment opportunities for youth and women from rural areas through localized training.

According to an official release, the registration process for this initiative is entirely online, with interested candidates encouraged to sign up at https://admission.dvet.gov.in.

The training fee ranges from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 per month. Approximately 25% of seats are reserved for trainees in the institutes, while the remaining seats will be available to external candidates.

Both ITI students and those pursuing 10th, 12th, diploma, or degree programs are eligible for these courses. The curriculum encompasses modern technology topics, including additive manufacturing, drone technology, electric vehicles, solar energy, cybersecurity, Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, green hydrogen, mobile repair, and social media influencing.

“Around 364 special batches will be organized for women candidates, along with 408 special batches for emerging sectors. New training centers will be established in Gadchiroli, Latur, Nagpur, and Amravati based on local industry requirements, and a unique course titled ‘Vedic Sanskar Junior Assistant’ will be introduced, tailored for the upcoming Kumbh Mela in Nashik,” concluded Minister Lodha.