A few months ago, the West Bengal Employment Directorate had issued a notice to technical institutes, who have been given the permission to provide technical training, to come forward and train those who need jobs.

“The exchange also decided that it will either cough up Rs 5,000 or bear 50 per cent of the entire course fee (whichever is less),” said P Roy Chowdhury, joint director of the employment exchange.

Though the revelation comes late in the day, it is, nonetheless, a relief for most job seekers. “The employment directorate needs to publicise the initiative,” said Phalguni Mukhopadhyay, chairman and managing director of Brainware, a privately-run training institute.

The directorate had also said that in order to avail this scheme, an individual must be above 22 years of age and should be enrolled with the exchange for the last five years.

It further stated that a list of organisations, which are providing the training, has been put up at the directorate office. It is up to the students to decide which training organisation they wish to join.

Brainware, which trains in IT and computer skills, with its 52 centres in the state, has already started the programme and over 100 students have enrolled for it.

“We are providing training depending on the qualification of the candidate. For commerce graduates, we are imparting training in accounting and others can be trained in IT and multimedia depending on their choice,” said Mukhopadhyay.

For those who have been enrolled for less than five years, the directorate has initiated a system of mock tests through which, students hone their skills if they plan to appear for a competitive examination in the state.