Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, RK Mathur visited Government Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Leh, and distributed start-up kits to the trainees of Assistant Hair Dresser & Stylist on November 16. 

He also released Shesrap- the college magazine of Government Model Degree College, Zanskar.Commissioner/Secretary, Technical Education, Padma Angmo; Superintendent, ITI Leh, Phuntsog Angmo; Director, College Affairs, Dr. Sameena Iqbal; Principal of Government Degree College, Khaltse and Zanskar; faculty members of ITI Leh and trainees of Assistant Hair Dresser & Stylist were present.

Appreciating the Technical Education Department for ensuring the completion of works on the ground, LG Mathur also appreciated the initiative taken by Government Model Degree College, Zanskar to come up with the college magazine and called it a well-thought-out initiative. Stating that ITI has tremendous potential, he stressed the need for alumni to promote ITI through various mediums. He also stated that the young students at ITI can earn their livelihood and also become employers through training in various trades at ITI.

Stating that the youth from Ladakh want to come back and work in Ladakh after completing their higher studies, LG Mathur stated that it is the responsibility of the government to provide assistance for livelihood opportunities and also to set up their own units and enterprises. He also stated that ITIs/Polytechnic and Engineering colleges will enable the youth to find livelihood opportunities for themselves in Ladakh as well as outside Ladakh. He stressed the need for both ITIs to start working on courses on starting new businesses so that the youth passing out from ITIs are confident of taking the challenge to set up their own units/enterprises.

Stating that ITI has a big role to play in replacing the skilled migrant labourers with the youth passing out from ITI, LG Mathur stated that the youth need to be taught skills that could provide them with employment opportunities. He stressed the need to emphasize on opportunities in emerging areas such as greenhouses, dairy sector, vegetables, and horticulture as these areas have a tremendous job and economic potential in Ladakh. He stated that the subjects taught at ITI and the emerging opportunities have to match each other.

LG Mathur stated that efforts would be made to develop infrastructure in the next few years. He also congratulated the trainees on the successful completion of the Assistant Hair Dresser and Stylist course. He distributed start-up kits among the 15 trainees who completed the three-month long training in Assistant Hair Dresser and Stylist training programme conducted by Ladakh Skill Development Mission (LSDM) in collaboration with the ‘Beauty and Wellness Sector Skill Council (B&WSSC).

Terming the wellness and beauty sector as one of the most well-paid sectors and a big industry, LG Mathur stated that there is tremendous opportunity in the beauty sector as there is a lot of demand from people to look good. He stated that Administration along with the Hill Councils would work along with the young professionals to enable them to become full-fledged professionals so that they could earn well and also provide employment to others.

LG Mathur also visited the ITI campus, including the hostel.

Commissioner/Secretary, Technical Education, Padma Angmo, informed about various facilities, including heating arrangements, being provided to students at ITI Leh and Kargil for their convenience in the winter. He also informed about the Assistant Hair Dresser and Stylist course programme conducted for 15 trainees to enable them to become self-employed.

Superintendent, ITI, Phuntsog Angmo, briefed about ITI Leh and various training programmes being offered to students under different schemes. A detailed presentation was also given on the master plan, landscaping, and infrastructure development of the upcoming structure at ITI Leh.

Principal, Government Model Degree College, Zanskar, MNM Shabani, briefed about Shesrap-the college magazine, and the theme for this year titled, ‘Zanskar in Transition.’

Skalzang Diskit, one of the trainees of the Assistant Hair Dresser and Stylist course, shared her experience.