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Media Dossier

Empowering North Bengal's Youth with Green Skills:Youth Skill Development in Green Sectors Takes Center Stage in North Bengal

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16 July 2024, Jalpaiguri, West Bengal

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Details of The Event

Recognizing the immense potential of the green economy, SwitchON Foundation launched two significant training programs on World Youth Skills Day. These initiatives aim to empower the youth of North Bengal with the necessary skills to thrive in the emerging green economy, addressing the pressing issue of youth unemployment while fostering a skilled workforce ready to contribute to a sustainable future.

The event was graced by esteemed guests: Shri Rajendra Raj, WBCS(Exe), PD-DRDC, Jalpaiguri, and Mr. Subir Sharma, DPM, Skill Development Department, Jalpaiguri. They shared their expertise on the crucial role of youth in driving the green economy, emphasizing the importance of nurturing and empowering young individuals to become leaders in sustainable development. Around 70 participants, comprising youth from various educational institutions like Polytechnics and ITIs and community youths, especially from the tea garden community and women Self-Help Groups, joined the event, highlighting the significance of engagement in promoting green jobs and sustainable practices.

Two types of training programs were announced at the event. The first is a comprehensive three-day training for local youth and women of the tea garden community, focusing on training providing participants with practical experience in clean energy-based technologies and the marketing of solar products like home lighting systems, solar water heaters, solar water pumps, solar pheromone traps, and solar sprayers. This aim is to empower them to set up their own solar equipment businesses and emerge as local entrepreneurs.

The second is a 45-day free residential training program on solar pumps for ITI and Polytechnic students, aimed at training them as technicians. This program will not only provide hands-on experience but also ensure placement opportunities.

The event facilitated increased engagement and collaboration between educational institutions, industry stakeholders, and government bodies, ensuring a cohesive approach to promoting green jobs. The interactive sessions allowed attendees to engage directly with government officials, providing a platform for in-depth discussions and valuable insights into government initiatives and support for green job development. The event also featured exhibitions showcasing Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) products like solar home lights, solar torch lights, solar street lights, solar filament traps, and solar sprayers by local vendors, highlighting innovative solutions in the renewable energy sector.