*DC Doda Spearheads AVSAR Initiative for Youth Empowerment and Skill Development*

DODA JANUARY 02 :

In a significant move to empower youth and stimulate economic growth in Doda, Deputy Commissioner Harvinder Singh led a meeting with various stakeholders to discuss the AVSAR programme’s implementation and future strategies in skill development. The District Task Force Committee (DTFC), under Singh’s chairmanship, outlined plans to enhance local libraries, conduct skill development courses, organize job fairs (rozgar melas), provide coaching for professional exams, and establish sports centers, including archery and shooting, across the district. These initiatives aim to create a nurturing environment for the socio-economic advancement of the district’s unemployed youth.

An allocation of Rs 50 lakhs from the Mission Youth department has been released for these initiatives. During the meeting, it was announced that Rs 13 lakhs would be specifically used to aid unemployed youths in enhancing their skills for better career prospects. The committee has already identified around 5,000 unemployed youths, with about 100 selected for short-term vocational training courses set to commence from January 15. The DC emphasized the importance of detailed planning by January 10 and directed the creation of an informative brochure through IT Jammu. Additionally, plans were discussed to send batches of unemployed youths to IT Jammu for training in sectors like tourism, hospitality, industry, agriculture, and marketing, to improve their employment prospects.

The AVSAR programme, a brainchild of Mission Youth, aims to connect local talents with the necessary skills and employment opportunities, bridging the gap between industry requirements and skilled youth. This comprehensive initiative includes skill development, soft skills training, career guidance, job fairs, industry-academia collaboration, and the establishment of a professional exam study center. The program’s objective is to equip young individuals with the skills and knowledge to excel in the job market, thereby boosting the local economy. The administration has already identified 5000 unemployed youths ready to undergo skill development as per market demands. The DC emphasized the need for coordinated efforts from all stakeholders for employment-focused results and stressed the importance of continuous skill upgradation. The meeting saw participation from key officials, including ACD Doda, CPO Doda, Deputy Director of Employment, CAO, CAHO, DSHO, LDM, Nodal Principal GDC Doda, principals of different degree colleges, District Coordinator JK Bank, Director R-SETI, and other concerned officials.