A 15-day course on ‘Programme for Skill Testing and Certification’ was inaugurated by CEC, Hill Council, Leh, Tashi Gyalson on January 1 at Food Craft Institute, Leh.

Tashi Gyalson said that the tourism industry in Ladakh is flourishing and the students of the region should utilize the opportunity. He said that the new UT set up has paved way for the dedicated and hard-working local youth of Ladakh and that the participants should draw optimum benefit from the course.

This course is the first step towards achieving their bigger dream, he added.

He further assured possible assistance from the Council and wished for their success in their endeavour.

Principal IHM, SonamChosjor said that this course is being conducted in collaboration with the Tourism Department and is the first course to be conducted after the up-gradation of the institute from the Food Craft Institute.

He highlighted the initiative of the Commissioner/Secretary Rigzin Samphel in achieving the approval for up-gradation of the institute and said that this will benefit in the long run in the overall functioning of the institute. 
 
Chosjor briefed that numbers of courses under various schemes of Hunar Se Rozgar Tak, Skill Testing Certificate and Diploma courses has been conducted since its inception in the year 2013. No course was conducted during the year 2020 due to the COVID pandemic. And this 15-day programme is being conducted by following COVID-19 guidelines. COVID test of all the 20 participants was conducted, he added.

Trainer faculty Stanzin Idzes highlighted the courses conducted and said that this 15-day course will concentrate on Food Production with practical hands-on training at reputed hotels in the town.

Director Tourism, Ladakh, Kunzes Angmo; Assistant Director, Tourism, Jigmet Namgyal and were also present on the occasion.