7 MoUs signed to empower youth with life skills, training

NT Reporter

Panaji

The Directorate of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (DSDE) has signed seven memorandums of understanding (MoUs) aimed at empowering youth with life skills and providing them with skill training.

A tripartite MoU has been signed between DSDE, Plan International (India Chapter) and Worship Design for the implementation of The Birds and The Bees Talk (TBBT) Life Skill Programme in the 13 industrial training institutes – 10 government-run and three private ITIs in Goa.

“TBBT is a structured life skills education programme aligned with the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) and the Adolescence Education Programme (AEP), and has been developed on UN global Centre for Sustainability and Excellence guidelines by leading educationists,” said a government official.

The programme aims to build on the pillars of inclusion, protection, consent, equity and awareness, to empower and equip the youth in the age group of 15-19 years with critical life skills knowledge to promote healthy behaviour and grow into responsible informed adults as well as build strong relationships, and contribute positively to the society.

The programme will include training and activity sessions for the trainees, instructors and counsellors of ITIs.

Another MoU has been signed between DSDE and Vana Shrubs Private Limited for conducting short-term skill development courses in mushroom cultivation under the Chief Minister’s Kaushalya Path Scheme in an organised and structured manner. The MoU is expected to help the Goan youth to acquire skills for the cultivation of oyster mushrooms in Goa.

The course has been designed to provide scientific knowledge and hand-on practical training in oyster mushroom cultivation, enabling participants to establish small-scale mushroom production unit, generate sustainable self-employment opportunities, develop entrepreneurship skills in agri-based sectors and contribute to eco-friendly and climate conscious agricultural practices.

Another MoU has been signed between DSDE and the Directorate of Education (DoE) through which open day visits of school students to ITIs will be organised.  The open day is titled  ‘a memorable day at ITI or skill safari: discover your future at ITI’. ITIs will depute their vocational instructor to nearby feeder schools and higher secondary schools for the promotion of ITI trade courses for the students from Class 9 to 12.

“This initiative is intended to create awareness among school students about vocational education, available trades, and potential career pathways,” the official said.

An MoU has also been signed between DSDE and the Directorate of Higher Education (DHE) for the implementation of dual certification programmes for students pursuing higher education in colleges under the Chief Minister Kaushalya Path Scheme.