Skill First, Future‑Ready: How Odisha Is Building A Youth‑Centric Economic Advantage

Odisha is emerging as a national model for youth-led economic development, juxtaposing skill-building, innovation and inclusive education at the centre of its strategy.

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the state is crafting a resilient and future-ready workforce to meet both domestic and global demands.

Reshaping Skilling Infrastructure in a New Global Era

In a rapidly evolving employment landscape, mere academic qualifications no longer suffice to guarantee job readiness. In the current scenario, industry‑aligned, flexible and forward‑thinking skills determine a young professional’s value.

Odisha has embarked on a transformative journey to revamp its skilling ecosystem, nurturing young people into globally competitive professionals.

Towards this end, Bhubaneswar is focusing on positioning itself as a national hub for vocational excellence, and on skill building measures. The National Skill Training Institute (NSTI) is being upgraded to a National Centre of Excellence for Skilling, with the inclusion of state‑of‑the‑art Training of Trainers facilities, the aim being to amplify quality training across cascading levels.

Kaushal Bhawan in the World Skill Centre is dedicated to hospitality education, with an array of courses designed to aid specialisation in Culinary Science, Food & Beverage Service, Housekeeping and Front‑Office Management.

The development model adopted by Odisha seeks to optimise regional potential with globally accepted norms of service excellence.

At the district level, the Chief Minister’s Skill Development Fellowship also absorbs skilled fellows into local ecosystems, ensuring that the state’s skilling agenda is responsive to community‑specific needs.

Digital Integration, Global Linkages and Human-Centric Learning

Odisha has forged collaborations with major global players like Coursera, IIT Delhi, SAP, CISCO, NASSCOM and Autodesk to deliver digital skilling programmes.

So far, more than 100,000 young people from over 80 higher‑education institutions have been trained under such programmes. More than 25,000 youth have completed short‑term, sector‑targeted skilling courses tied to employment outcomes.

Odisha produced 46 of the 292 All India Trade Test toppers in 2024. This accounts for nearly 16% of the national total across 146 trades.

At the World Skills Competition 2024, 15 Odia participants represented India, securing a Bronze medal in Renewable Energy and a Medallion in Water Technology.

Strategic MoUs with ITEES Singapore and NSDC International are ensuring placements on global platforms, while Centres of Excellence in mining, electric vehicles and automation further anchor the state's ecosystem.

The Odisha government has recognised that workplace success requires more than mere technical know‑how.

Hence, all 35 government polytechnics now incorporate life‑skills modules, including entrepreneurship, smart technology awareness and emotional intelligence, delivered via Macmillan Education India.

More than 20,000 diploma students benefit from this skills training, preparing them for excellence within the job.

Equity, Access and Community-Driven Skilling

Odisha’s skilling strategy is built on the principle of equity. The state prioritises inclusive access to training and education, ensuring opportunities reach all sections of society.

Socially and Educationally Backward Classes students in higher education receive a reservation of 11.25 per cent, while scholarships such as the Vyasakabi Fakir Mohan Bhushanbruti now operate without quotas, supporting undergraduates and postgraduates pursuing Odia language education even beyond the state’s borders.

Women’s empowerment is receiving equal attention. All degree colleges in the state have launched self‑defence clubs, emphasising the state’s belief that skill empowerment and personal security are equally important.

Kaushal Ratha, a mobile counselling initiative, has covered 30 districts and reached over 100,000 youths, reaching out regarding skilling and employment opportunities available.

Moreover, 123 Assistant Training Officers (ATOs) have been appointed to strengthen instruction at Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across Odisha.

Odisha’s Holistic Model for Future‑Ready Growth

Odisha’s integrated strategy of combining cutting‑edge infrastructure, digital partnerships, human‑centred life‑skills training and inclusive policy design presents a compelling template for states aiming to unlock the potential of youth.

By prioritising skills over credentials, ensuring access and nurturing confidence, the state is sculpting job‑ready graduates, along with capable and empowered professionals ready to meet the demands of a global economy.