Rajesh Dharmani today chaired a review meeting of the Technical Education Department along with officials of the Himachal Pradesh Technical Education Board to assess ongoing initiatives and outline future reforms.
The Minister said the State Government’s primary objective is to provide youth with high-quality, industry-oriented and future-ready skills. To promote innovation among young entrepreneurs, an Innovation Fund of ₹2 crore has been established to strengthen the start-up ecosystem in Himachal Pradesh. He noted that the state’s youth are rich in ideas and require structured support to turn them into successful enterprises.
Dharmani emphasized that a forward-looking technical education system is being developed in line with global industrial trends and emerging technologies. Students will be equipped with digital and advanced technical skills to meet the demands of the evolving global job market.
Highlighting the focus on strengthening the rural economy, the Minister said new courses in horticulture, natural farming and dairy technology are being introduced in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). He also underscored the vast potential of the biopharma sector in the state and called for tapping opportunities in this emerging field.
Directing the Technical Education Board to align courses with market demand, he stressed the need for strong industry linkages and structured apprenticeship programmes to enhance employability and entrepreneurship. A new scholarship scheme, particularly aimed at supporting girls, will also be introduced.
The Minister informed that hackathons and skill competitions are being organised in both government and private technical institutions to provide students with platforms to showcase their talents. Simultaneously, grading of ITIs and polytechnic institutions is underway to improve standards and accountability.
He suggested incorporating success stories of local entrepreneurs into academic curricula to inspire students, noting that trainees from government technical institutions are already excelling at the national level.
Dharmani further said the department is working in coordination with various institutions to enhance youth skills. HIMUDA will organise training programmes for technical students, while experts from the Industries Department will motivate youth to establish their own ventures.
Stressing the importance of digital transformation, he directed the department and the Board to maximise the use of information technology in their functioning and include AI-related programmes in the curriculum. He also informed that the Board has launched a dedicated grievance portal for students to address their concerns efficiently.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
