By Mr Amarr Prabhu for BISMumbai

Around 1200 youth from across Mumbai gathered at Don Bosco Industrial Training Institute, Kurla, to attend a Career Guidance session on 6 May 2023. The program was titled ‘Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Yuva Shakti Career Shibir’. This initiative was taken by Skill Development, Employment, Entrepreneurship, Innovation Department of Maharashtra State, Directorate of Vocational Education and Training and Mulund ITI.

The objective of this program was to appraise parents and youth with the opportunities in the field of ITI for students after Classes 10 and 12. The admission and enrollment process in the university was also explained. The organisers also conducted a psychometric and an IQ test for the participants. They also made the youth aware of the various scholarships and schemes made available by the government of Maharashtra.

The Chief Guest for this program was Mr Mangal Prabhat Lodha - Minister for Tourism, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship & Women and Child Development, Govt. of Maharashtra. The other Guests of Honour included Ms  Manisha Verma - Principal Secretary, Skill Development, Employment, Entrepreneurship, Innovation Department, Govt. of Maharashtra, Ms Dr. Apoorva Palkar - Founding Vice Chancellor of Maharashtra State Skills University(MSSU), Mr Digambar Dalvi - Director · Directorate of Vocational Education and Training, Fr Anthony Pinto and Mr Harish Bandirge.

The program started at 09:30 a.m. with the registration of participants. The inaugural ceremony started at 10:00 a.m. with a lamp lighting ceremony. 

Mr Lodha in his inaugural speech spoke about the importance of choosing the right career and similar programs to be organised at 288 other constituencies of state. He also invited youth to join vocational education and later upskill themselves to earn a Bachelor's degree. Ms Palkar later spoke on various opportunities available for youth and ITI-passed trainees to earn B. Tech degree and other highlights of Maharashtra State Skill University.

Post inaugural, Mr Lodha visited the various DBITI training facilities. He was very impressed and appreciated the work done by Don Bosco institutions. He also mentioned that the Government of Maharashtra will take up a similar initiative of Don Bosco’s ‘Mobile Training Van’ in various parts of the state. Ms Palkar stated the possibilities of signing an MoU with DBITI and Maharashtra State Skill University for offering B.Tech in Mechatronics. 

The programme ended at 02:00 p.m. with a vote of thanks by ta DBITI representative.