Karnataka to train seven lakh candidates under Skill Karnataka 2.0
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced a Rs 5,000 crore investment to reach 30 lakh beneficiaries over seven years.
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced at the Bengaluru Skill Summit that the Skill Karnataka 2.0 programme aims to train seven lakh candidates over the next seven years. According to reports from Urban Acres and Deccan Herald, the initiative will provide short-term training to approximately 75,000 candidates every year.
The state intends to reach a total of 30 lakh beneficiaries through various skill development efforts over the same period, with a proposed investment of about Rs 5,000 crore. Shivakumar also launched the Yuva Udyoga Setu portal, which has been renamed Udyoga Setu. This AI-enabled platform will connect jobseekers, employers, and training institutions for free.
To encourage employment outside the state capital, the government will offer a monthly incentive of Rs 2,500 for every job created by enterprises operating outside Bengaluru. Shivakumar noted that 30,000 engineering seats remained vacant this year and mentioned that many graduates still seek employment assistance.
The state currently hosts more than 550 global capability centres (GCCs) and is targeting 500 additional centres and 3.5 lakh jobs by 2029. Shivakumar stated that 65 per cent of the state's population is under 35 years of age.
A Skill Development Vision Group has been formed to guide future strategies. Mindtree co-founder Subroto Bagchi will chair the group, which includes representatives from the industry, education, and skilling sectors.