NT Reporter
Margao
The Placement Fair and PM National Apprenticeship Mela held in Margao on Friday drew a strong response, with over 60 companies and more than 300 job seekers coming together to explore employment opportunities in Goa.
Organised under the ‘Sewa Pakhwada’ programme, the event was hosted by Margao Government ITI in collaboration with the government ITIs of Vasco and Canacona.
Sneha Azare, Assistant Director of Training at the State Employment and Training Council (SEMC), said over 60 companies were expected to attend the mela for both placement and apprenticeship opportunities. “In order to boost this initiative, we conduct quarterly melas in the state, one in each district. We are expecting more than 300 job seekers and aspirants,” she said.
Kalpa Karware, president of the Verna Industries Association, said that more than 60 companies had come to recruit ITI students for placements. “We at the association look forward to continued collaboration with the government on such initiatives. We are also conducting training sessions to prepare students with the skill sets required in the industry and aim to partner on more such programmes,” Karware said.
Margao ITI Principal Ravikiran D Pawaskar said the event was a significant step towards bridging the gap between education and employment, skill and opportunity, and learning and livelihood. He said the mela served not just as a platform for trainees to interact with companies and industries, but also as a valuable opportunity to explore various apprenticeship options.
“This mela is more than just an interview. It’s a bridge between aspiration and achievement, between classroom learning and real-world experience. Through apprenticeships and placements, it gives participants the chance to learn directly from industry experts, to
apply their skills in real
situations, and to prepare to become not just job seekers but job creators in the future,” he said.
Pawaskar also emphasised that the fair was not solely about receiving job offers but about gaining exposure, building confidence, and discovering one’s potential. “Every conversation you have today is an opportunity to learn. Great careers are not built in a single day, but today could be the spark that ignites your journey,” he said.
