Photo Source: aninews.in
In a significant step toward boosting youth employability and aligning with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Haryana government has announced plans to establish Model Skill Colleges and Model Schools in every district across the state. The initiative aims to enhance access to vocational and skill-based education for students, while also addressing the growing demand for industry-ready professionals.
The announcement was made by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini during a meeting with Vice Chancellors of state universities. The CM emphasized the urgent need for integrating skill development programs with mainstream higher education. He urged universities to redesign their curriculum and focus on practical, job-oriented training in partnership with local industries.
These proposed Model Skill Colleges will serve as centres of excellence, offering courses in sectors like IT, manufacturing, retail, healthcare, agriculture technology, and artificial intelligence. The objective is to empower students with hands-on skills and certifications that make them more employable in both local and global job markets.
Alongside the colleges, Model Schools will be opened in every district, equipped with modern infrastructure, smart classrooms, and vocational training labs. These schools will focus on early introduction to technical skills from Class 9 onward, bridging the gap between education and employability at a foundational level.
To support this educational transformation, the Haryana government has also announced the creation of a ₹20 crore Research and Innovation Fund, aimed at supporting faculty and students who wish to undertake research in emerging fields and develop innovative solutions to real-world problems.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the importance of entrepreneurship, encouraging institutions to promote start-up incubation centres, innovation labs, and exposure visits for students. The initiative is expected to not only reduce unemployment but also enable the youth to create jobs rather than just seek them.
With this forward-looking plan, Haryana aims to emerge as a national leader in skill-based education, aligning academic learning with real-world industry demands. The project will be implemented in a phased manner starting later this year, with priority given to districts with higher unemployment rates and limited access to quality vocational institutions.
