Efforts under way to bridge skill gap between education and employment: Minister R. Bindu

The Left Democratic Front (LDF) government is moving forward with a clear vision to transform the State into a new-age scientific society, said R. Bindu, Minister for Higher Education and Social Justice. She was speaking after inaugurating “Skill Pooram,” a one-day workshop held at Government Engineering College, Thrissur, as part of the Vijnana Keralam campaign.

Efforts are under way to bridge the skill gap between education and employment, the Minister said. Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Cells have been activated in all higher education institutions offering four-year degree programmes. “Vijnana Keralam works as a catalyst to strengthen these development cells and connect academic learning with employability,” Dr. Bindu added.

She emphasised that various initiatives under the Higher Education department, including those linked to Additional Skill Acquisition Programme (ASAP) Kerala and other government agencies, have already helped create employment opportunities for students. “Today, our goal is not just to create jobseekers but job creators. The government stands firmly behind every effort to enhance skill development, innovation, and entrepreneurship,” she said.

Campus placements

Organised as part of the Vijnana Keralam people’s campaign, the Skill Pooram aims to share best practices in skill-based training among higher education institutions and to help colleges identify emerging job opportunities through collaborative skill enhancement. The initiative also seeks to boost campus placements by bridging the skill gap between academia and industry.

District panchayat president V.S. Prince presided over the inaugural session. Thomas Isaac, Advisor to Vijnana Keralam and former Finance Minister, delivered the keynote address. Over 500 placement officers, National Service Scheme programme coordinators, and student representatives from higher education institutions across Kerala participated in the workshop.