OSEM to train 10K jobless youths in driving

BHUBANESWAR: With new models of motor cars entering the market at frequent intervals and the number of light and heavy motor vehicles are multiplying every day, there is a heavy demand for trained drivers in the State.  According to an estimate by the Commerce and Transport Department, the State has the capacity to absorb more than a lakh drivers both in the public and private sectors. However, job opportunities for trained drivers in private sector are more. The existing private driving institutes of the State mostly cater to the needs of the private sector. But they do not have the capacity to meet the growing demand for drivers. The Orissa State Employment Mission (OSEM) has decided to impart driving training to 10,000 unemployed youths on public private partnership (PPP) mode to meet the growing demand for drivers in the coming days. The Employment Mission which aims at enhancing skill and faster generation of jobs took this innovative programme in coordination with the Commerce and Transport Department to achieve the objective. The Employment Mission has sanctioned ` 6.45 crore to train 10,000 youths in the first phase. The two-month training would be imparted through government driving training schools and quality private institutes to train the unemployed youths. Sources said the Employment Mission would spend ` 4,500 per youth for the training and provide ` 326 to each of the trainees to get the licence. It has been decided to provide training to 4,000 unemployed youth in the Scheduled Categories (2,000 SC and 2,000 ST) with a monthly stipend of ` 2,000 each for two months for their board and lodging during the training period, Employment Mission Director Arabinda Padhi said. The Transport Department will certify the training institutes to impart training. Placement-linked training will be given priority and funds will be released to the training institutes only after the placement of the trainees. In all advertisements issued for this programme, the training institutes should mention that the programme is supported by OSEM with prominent display of the logo of the employment mission. The district employment officer will be a member of the selection committee of concerned district.