GANGTOK, July 15: The Skill Development Department, Government of Sikkim, marked the 10th anniversary of World Youth Skills Day (WYSD) with a vibrant and impactful state-level celebration held at Chintan Bhawan, graced by the Chief Minister of Sikkim and Minister-in-Charge of the Skill Development Department, Prem Singh Tamang as the chief guest, here today.
Themed “Youth Empowerment through AI and Digital Skills”, the programme reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to equipping the State’s youth with future-ready skills and opportunities for sustainable livelihoods.
The celebration began with the ceremonial arrival of the Chief Minister, followed by the flag-off of the ‘Kaushal Vahan’—a mobile skilling initiative designed to extend training access and awareness to remote areas of the State. The Chief Minister also inaugurated a Skill-cum-Product Exhibition, showcasing innovations and products by ITI trainees, entrepreneurs, and training partners.
In his keynote address, the Chief Minister underscored the central role of skill development in building a Sunaulo (Golden), Samriddha (Prosperous), and Samarth (Capable) Sikkim. He emphasised the Government’s vision of producing ‘Saksham and Kaushal’ citizens through targeted, holistic, and future-oriented training.
The Chief Minister announced two significant policy decisions aimed at mainstreaming vocational training:
• Mandatory ITI Certification for all technical posts in Government departments and
• 5–10% Reservation for ITI graduates in all Polytechnic Colleges.
He highlighted that these progressive measures would elevate the standing of vocational education and create multiple pathways for career advancement. Acknowledging the efforts of the Skill Development Department, the Chief Minister praised the institutional mechanisms that are enabling both domestic and international employability, while also contributing to the State’s economic development.
Reiterating the importance of preparing for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the Chief Minister called upon educators, civil society, and industry leaders to integrate AI and digital literacy in skilling frameworks. He encouraged the youth to embrace entrepreneurship as a viable and respectable career option, stating that every expert starts as a beginner, and every skill learned today shapes a brighter tomorrow.
The Advisor cum MLA of Transport & Skill Development Department, Madan Cintury, also addressed the gathering. He described ITI instructors as the backbone of the skill ecosystem and highlighted the department’s success in producing nearly 1,000 skilled youth annually. Reinforcing the Chief Minister’s vision, he urged the youth to strive for self-reliance and called for deeper engagement with MLAs to disseminate scheme-related information across rural constituencies.
He also proposed the launch of targeted financial schemes to support ITI graduates in launching entrepreneurial ventures, thereby enabling economic independence and reducing reliance on government employment.
The Advisor further encouraged youth to respect all forms of work, underlining the dignity of labour as a foundational societal value.
Earlier, in her welcome address, Secretary of Skill Development Department, Tashi Cho Cho, outlined the department’s ongoing mission to bridge the skill gap and create employment-ready human resources, particularly in underserved regions.
An audio-visual presentation highlighting departmental milestones and initiatives was screened. One of the major announcements included the virtual inauguration of the Government ITI Gyalshing Girls’ Hostel, constructed under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme – Enhancing Skill Development Infrastructure (ESDI) at a total cost of Rs 22.15 crore. This facility reflects the Government’s commitment to gender equity and inclusive residential skilling.
A significant digital leap was marked by the launch of QR-Based Web Applications to streamline registration and service delivery in the skilling ecosystem.
The Chief Minister also released the Migration Support Services Framework, a strategic policy to support Sikkimese youth seeking employment outside the State. This framework focuses on safeguarding migrant workers through institutional support and welfare mechanisms.
To further strengthen industry-academia linkages, the Department exchanged Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with the Hero India Foundation, Wadhwani Foundation, and A200 Solution Pvt. Ltd. These partnerships aim to facilitate quality training, placement, and industry-relevant curriculum development. MoU partners were felicitated by the Chief Minister.
A special segment of the programme was dedicated to recognising excellence in skilling:
Awardees included:
• Best Performing ITI: Government ITI Rangpo
• Consistent Performer – Training Partner: Regal Institute of Management Studies (RIMS), in recognition of over a decade-long partnership with SICB
• Best Training Partner: Himali Vikash Sansthan
• Best Performing Employer: Compass India Food Services Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru, which has successfully placed over 105 candidates under the DDUGKY scheme
Best All-Rounder ITI Trainees:
• Ms Manisha Tamang – Government ITI, Kewzing
• Mr Deepesh Chettri – Government ITI, Gyalshing
• Mr Bishal Tamang – Government ITI, Namchi
• Mr Anish Gurung – Government ITI, Rangpo
Skill Achievers Felicitated:
Mr Ajit Raphal, Ms Bishnu Maya Bhujel, Mr Biswa Hang Subba, Mr Bishnu Sharma, Mr Chozang Lepcha, Mr Nitesh Darjee, Ms Bimla Rai, Mr Dawa Singh Tamang, and Ms Yangchen Doma Sherpa shared their inspiring journeys of transformation through skill training.
The event concluded with a Vote of Thanks delivered by Additional Secretary, Skill Development Department, Samdup Bhutia, who acknowledged the visionary leadership of the Chief Minister, the collaborative spirit of partners, and the enthusiastic participation of youth from across the State.
The programme was attended by Cabinet Ministers, Advisors, Members of Parliament, Members of the Legislative Assembly, senior dignitaries, Advisors, Chairpersons, OSDs, Heads of Departments, and other public representatives including Panchayat functionaries, senior departmental officers, Principals and Superintendents of Government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), representatives from various Programme Implementing Agencies (PIAs), award recipients, alumni, students, and officials of the Skill Development Department.
- IPR Report
