In a significant move to position Punjab as a frontrunner in the aerospace and defence (A&D) sector, the state government is set to introduce a sweeping new policy aimed at skill development. This announcement was made by Punjab’s Employment Generation, Skill Development, and Training Minister, Mr. Aman Arora, during a recent conclave on skill development for the A&D and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) sectors.
The conclave, organized by the Centre for Training and Employment of Punjab Youth (C-PYTE) in collaboration with ASSOCHAM Northern Region, saw Mr. Arora directing Principal Secretary Mrs. Jaspreet Talwar and Director General of C-PYTE, Major General Rambir Mann, to assemble a group of stakeholders. This group will be tasked with drafting a policy that addresses the skill requirements within both the A&D and MSME sectors.
Punjab’s strategic focus on these sectors is aimed at tapping into the state’s historical strengths in defence and aerospace. With the majority of private industry jobs in aerospace spanning civil aviation, military aircraft, communication satellites, and launch vehicles, the new policy seeks to leverage these opportunities to generate employment for the state’s youth.
Mr. Arora highlighted Punjab’s advantageous infrastructure, including two international airports at Mohali and Amritsar, domestic airports in Ludhiana, Bathinda, and Jalandhar, and one of India’s largest Airforce bases located in Adampur. He also underscored the state’s robust research and development (R&D) capabilities, a substantial base of MSMEs engaged in engineering, and the presence of established aviation clubs.
The proposed policy aims to bridge skill gaps and create targeted training programs in alignment with industry standards and technological advancements. Emphasizing the importance of collaboration, Mr. Arora stressed that the conclave would provide valuable insights and foster partnerships to enhance skill development efforts in the state.
Principal Secretary Mrs. Jaspreet Talwar urged industry leaders to contribute their expertise to the development of the policy, noting that successful collaborations between the government, educational institutions, and industry are crucial for meeting the sector’s evolving needs. She emphasized that these collaborations would facilitate knowledge exchange and keep pace with emerging trends.
Director Employment Generation Ms. Amrit Singh highlighted the government’s commitment to improving the employability of the state’s youth through targeted skill development initiatives. She noted that ongoing R&D efforts within the state would support the advancement of cutting-edge defence technologies and enhance the capability to produce advanced defence equipment.
The conclave also featured addresses from prominent figures including DG CPYTE Major Gen (Dr) R.S. Mann, ADG Army Design Bureau Major General C.S. Mann, and other industry leaders such as Major General I.M. Lamba (Retd.), Chairman Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd. Mr. Rajinder Singh Bhatia, and Chairman ASSOCHAM Punjab Mr. Abhi Bansal.
This new policy is anticipated to play a crucial role in unlocking Punjab’s potential in the defence sector, fostering growth, and driving job creation for the state’s future.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Khalsa Vox or its members.
