Chandigarh Unveils IT Saksham Yuva Scheme to Employ 5,000 Youth

The Haryana government has launched the ‘IT Saksham Yuva Scheme 2024’ in Chandigarh. This initiative, aligned with the ‘Mission 60,000’ initiative outlined in the 2024-25 budget speech by former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, targets to provide jobs for 5,000 young individuals in its inaugural phase.

“This initiative marks a significant stride towards nurturing a skilled workforce and fostering economic growth in the region,” highlighted a government statement. The emphasis on career-readiness in the digital economy underscores the scheme’s relevance in preparing youth for contemporary job markets and technological advancements.

The scheme is tailored to cater specifically to graduate and post-graduate candidates from IT backgrounds, who will undergo the Haryana IT Programme, a specialized short-term course spanning a minimum of three months. Upon completion, these candidates will be placed across various governmental departments, boards, corporations, or private entities within the state. Participants of the IT Saksham Yuva Scheme will receive a competitive monthly remuneration of INR 20,000 during the initial six months of employment, which will increase to INR 25,000 from the seventh month onwards, provided by the respective employing entities and in cases where deployment is delayed or unfeasible, the government has committed to providing an unemployment allowance of INR 10,000 per month to the affected individuals.

The implementation of the scheme will be facilitated by key training agencies such as Haryana State Electronics Development Corporation Ltd (HARTRON), Haryana Knowledge Corporation Ltd (HKCL), and Shri Vishwakarma Skill University (SVSU), among others identified by the government. SVSU, being the state university, will be responsible for issuing completion certificates in accordance with norms set by the Haryana Skill Development Mission (HSDM). Critically, people have welcomed the IT Saksham Yuva Scheme as a proactive measure to address youth unemployment and align skill development with industry demands. Advocates suggest that such initiatives are crucial for bridging the gap between education and employment, thereby ensuring sustainable economic progress and inclusive growth.