Skilling today’s youth with tomorrow’s technology, Odisha is setting the benchmark for inclusive, future-focused development
OdishaPlus Bureau
In a vibrant celebration of innovation, skill, and youth empowerment, the Skill Development & Technical Education Department today marked World Youth Skills Day 2025 at the World Skill Center (WSC) in Bhubaneswar.
The event resonated with this year’s global theme, “Youth Empowerment through AI and Digital Skills,”. Industries, Skill Development & Technical Education Minister Sampad Chandra Swain affirmed the Odisha Government’s unwavering commitment to develop the future-ready talent fully capable of thriving in the digital era. He also portrayed the recently launched AI Policy 2025 as a visionary blueprint by the government for the inclusive and transformative integration of Artificial Intelligence across governance, education, and industry sectors.
The most celebrated moment of the event was the announcement of placement offers to over 700 youth, trained through the World Skill Center and state-led skilling initiatives like Nua Odisha and the Placement Linked Training Programme. Notably, more than 50 candidates secured global placements, with opportunities in the United Arab Emirates and beyond – a testament to the global competitiveness of Odisha’s skilled workforce.
The Space Tech Skilling Workshop — a hands-on, week-long immersion in Nano Satellite Technology, jointly organized by WSC, Earth Now Pvt. Ltd., Smart Circuits, and TM@SPACE Technologies. Using the MANHA Satellite Kit, students engaged in the assembly, testing, and simulated launches of Nano satellites, including drone-based launches and real-time data analysis. Thirty young learners from WSC, RD Women’s Higher Secondary School, and BJB Higher Secondary School participated in this pioneering experience.
As part of Odisha’s Nano Unicorn Programme, three budding entrepreneurs were awarded seed funding of ₹1 lakh each, presented by Minister Swain, to turn their ideas into real ventures. The event also featured the grand finale of the Entrepreneurship Pitch Fest, where ‘Skill Cart – Life Skill in a Box’, an AI-driven digital learning platform, won first prize for its innovative approach to life skills education. ‘Cool Hollox Bricks’, a sustainable building material promoting green construction, secured second prize.
The event showcased 49 student-led innovation projects, six of which were specially awarded for excellence and creativity. Live demonstrations brought to life ideas ranging from sustainable tech to AI-powered education tools, underlining the ingenuity and potential of Odisha’s youth. Bhupendra Singh Poonia, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the department, Rashmita Panda, Director, Skill Development-cum-Employment and CEO, World Skill Center, along with senior officials, industry partners, academic leaders, and training agencies took part in the celebration.
As Odisha progresses towards its centenary in 2036 and aligns with the national vision of Viksit Bharat@2047, this celebration reaffirmed the State’s commitment to cultivate a skilled, empowered, and globally competitive youth — prepared to lead in the age of AI and digital transformation.
