Does this mean the department will focus on job opportunities and employment generation rather than providing jobs?
This is true. Since the jobs in the government sector are scarce as compared to the private sector, there is a need to make people aware about plethora of job opportunities in the private sector. The booming sectors are retail, hospitality, aviation, insurance and healthcare. Most of the demands for skilled professionals that we receive from various private companies are for sales executives. Unfortunately, they do not get enough candidates, as most of the candidates do not fulfill the criteria.

Do you mean that private sector wants candidates with specific degrees or diplomas?
No, the communication skills and personality is what they look for in a candidate. These companies select candidates on the basis of their communication skills and confidence. Most rural background candidates lack confidence.

 So what is the department doing to help these candidates?
We are intensifying our employment generation initiatives by launching three to six months skill development programmes in the near future. We are contemplating to rope in private agencies like the Air Hostess Academy in aviation to provide skilled development in aviation, hospitality and insurance. These service providers will get funds from government on the basis of their success rate in training candidates and their subsequent recruitment by some company.

Do you think such an initiative can be effective in the long run?
If earnest efforts then everything is possible. But the major hurdle is to change the mindset of people who still prefer government jobs. They need to be informed where they can make a good career and where most number of jobs is available. The department is already making efforts in this regard. The success of these programmes depends upon timely funds to the service providers for these development programmes.