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Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Chief Minister’s Short-Term Employability Programme (STEP) on Wednesday, an initiative designed to provide industry-relevant and employment-oriented training to the youth of Maharashtra.
The programme, implemented by the state Department of Skill, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, aims to train 75,000 individuals this year, with approximately 1 lakh trainees expected from next year.
Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha said that authorities are conducting the inaugural programme at 600 locations across the state.
The organisers invited artisans from the Vishwakarma community, local artists, and traditional trade experts as chief guests to honour their contributions and promote respect for community skills.
Lodha highlighted that authorities will launch 2,506 units in 419 government industrial training institutes (ITIs) and 141 government technical schools, decentralising skill education.
He said that authorities have selected courses based on local demand and public interest, and district-level committees will manage operations to increase participation and accountability.
Focus on Modern Skills and Self-Reliance
The main objective of STEP is to provide youth with modern skill training aligned with industry requirements, enabling self-reliance and creating self-employment opportunities, particularly for rural youth and women.
Training fees range from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 per month, with 25 per cent of seats reserved for institute trainees and the remainder open to external candidates. Authorities conduct admissions entirely online via https://admission.dvet.gov.in, and they allow eligibility for ITI students as well as those pursuing 10th, 12th, diploma, or degree courses.
The programme offers courses in additive manufacturing, drone technology, electric vehicles, solar energy, cybersecurity, IoT, AI, green hydrogen, mobile repair, and social media influencing.
Additionally, 364 special batches for women and 408 batches for emerging sectors will be launched. Training centres will also open in Gadchiroli, Latur, Nagpur, and Amravati to meet local industry needs.
Authorities will conduct a unique course, ‘Vedic Sanskar Junior Assistant’, in preparation for the upcoming Kumbh Mela in Nashik, ensuring cultural and skill development go hand in hand.
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