In a significant move to expand employment opportunities for the youth, the state government has officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with British Council Education India Pvt Limited (BCEIPL) today.
The MoU was jointly signed by Dr. Amarpal Singh, Director of Higher Education on behalf of the Punjab Government, and Duncan Wilson, Managing Director of BCEIPL. The signing ceremony was graced by the presence of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Education Minister Harjot Singh, and the British Deputy High Commissioner, Chandigarh, Caroline Rowett.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann expressed his optimism about the MoU, emphasizing its potential to open new avenues for employment and skills enhancement for the youth. The partnership will pave the way for the launch of a specialized training course called “English for Work” for students in government colleges under the Higher Education Department. This training program aims to significantly upgrade the employability skills of young individuals, making them more competitive in the job market.
The “English for Work” course will be offered online, adopting a proven “flipped classroom” approach, which blends the flexibility of self-study with interactive live classes. The students will benefit from both pre and post-assessment tests to track their progress throughout the course. Upon successful completion, participants will receive a well-recognized certificate, adding to their credentials.
The initial phase of this transformative initiative is set to accommodate around 5,000 students from government colleges, offering them the opportunity to undergo comprehensive training starting from this academic session. The Chief Minister expressed his hope that such strategic steps would contribute to reversing the brain drain phenomenon from the state, ensuring that talented individuals can find meaningful employment opportunities locally.
The collaborative effort between the state government and BCEIPL is expected to be a game-changer in empowering the youth, equipping them with essential skills and knowledge, and enabling a brighter future for Punjab. With this partnership in place, the state stands poised to create a thriving workforce ready to take on the challenges of the ever-evolving global job market.
