Himachal’s ambitious drive to become India’s skill hub for modern technologies
The Himachal Pradesh government is on a mission to turn the state into a national center for skill development, ensuring that its young people are equipped with industry-relevant expertise for today’s job market. To bring Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s vision to life, the government is providing training in advanced technologies, preparing youth for success in a fast-evolving world.
Focusing on today’s job requirements, the state has rolled out a range of skill-building initiatives aimed at creating more employment, self-employment, and entrepreneurial pathways. In government-run institutions, students can now take up courses in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Internet of Things (IoT), and Data Science. Government Hydro Engineering College in Bandla, for example, now offers AI and Data Science programs, while Government Polytechnic Institute in Rohru and Government Millennium Polytechnic in Chamba have launched diplomas in Computer Engineering, IoT, and Mechatronics.
These new-age courses are not only opening doors to better job opportunities but are also encouraging youth to become entrepreneurs. The goal is to nurture the skills young people need to become future job creators, contributing to the state’s economy in more meaningful ways.
Practical training is a key priority. Recently, 38 students from government polytechnics and 20 instructors from engineering colleges and polytechnics received hands-on robotic training at IIT Mandi. With a growing focus on the semiconductor industry, the state also sent 20 instructors to IIT Ropar and IIT Delhi to learn about semiconductor technology, laying the groundwork to attract this industry to Himachal and create more jobs locally. Additionally, students and faculty from various polytechnic and engineering colleges took machine learning courses at IIIT Una, sharpening their expertise in this high-demand field.
The government is also investing in drone technology training, particularly for disaster response. Himachal’s mountainous terrain makes it prone to natural disasters, and drone skills are critical in such emergencies. Currently, 128 young people are learning advanced drone technology across 11 government ITIs, underscoring the government’s commitment to positioning Himachal as a tech-savvy state.
To further strengthen skills training, the state has 363 technical and industrial institutes providing vocational education. Regular job fairs and campus interviews across Himachal connect students with real job opportunities. In the last two years alone, over 5,730 trainees from government engineering, pharmacy, polytechnic, and ITI institutes have secured jobs through these events.
With vast potential in information technology, Himachal Pradesh is creating promising career paths for young people. Through forward-thinking training programs, the state is making strides toward a bright, technology-driven future that empowers its youth to succeed both as professionals and entrepreneurs.
