Bhubaneswar, April 4: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Principal Secretary-2, Shaktikanta Das, on Saturday visited the World Skill Center (WSC), Bhubaneswar, reaffirming the growing national focus on advanced skill development as a cornerstone of India’s economic transformation.
Das reviewed WSC’s state-of-the-art Centres of Excellence in Vertical Transportation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Beauty & Wellness, and the School of Hospitality. He appreciated the institution’s advanced infrastructure, modern training methodologies, and strong emphasis on industry-aligned, outcome-driven skill development.
Chief Secretary Anu Garg and Skill Development & Technical Education Secretary Bhupendra Singh Poonia accompanied Das during the visit.
He engaged in interactions with WSC’s senior leadership, including Rashmi Ranjan Mohapatra, Chief Executive Officer; Pinaki Patnaik, Additional Secretary, SD&TE and Chief Operating Officer, WSC and Dr. Subhanga Kishore Das, Principal. These discussions provided valuable insights into Odisha’s evolving skill landscape, showcasing WSC as a flagship institution driving excellence in technical education and training.
Key deliberations revolved around enhancing workforce readiness of skilled talent pool, continuously improving the quality and relevance of training programs, and aligning skilling initiatives with emerging global industry demands. The importance of deepening collaboration between government, industry, and training institutions to ensure employment-oriented, future-focused skill development was strongly emphasised.
Das’s visit underscored the Government of Odisha’s strategic vision to empower youth with cutting-edge skills, foster innovation in training delivery, and create better livelihood opportunities. The World Skill Center continues to play a transformative role in nurturing burgeoning talents, positioning Odisha as a hub of excellence in skill development and contributing significantly to India’s journey towards inclusive growth and global competitiveness.
