Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated a two-day Skill Fair and Exhibition at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan in Lucknow on the occasion of World Youth Skills Day on Tuesday. The event showcased the talents of youth from all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh who are undergoing training at various skill development centres across the state.

Addressing the gathering, CM Yogi extended his best wishes to the youth on World Youth Skills Day and emphasised the importance of equipping them with cutting-edge skills such as artificial intelligence (AI) and digital literacy. He noted, “Skilled youth are the backbone of a self-reliant India, and the double-engine government is committed to providing jobs and self-employment opportunities.”

The Chief Minister highlighted that Uttar Pradesh, being the most populous state in the country with a working-age population comprising 56 to 60 per cent of its 25 crore residents, holds immense potential. The state government, he said, is making continuous efforts to match youth talent with suitable employment opportunities. He lauded the participation of public representatives, industry leaders, and trainees who are shaping the future of a skilled Uttar Pradesh.

CM Yogi noted that this year’s theme — “Youth Empowerment through AI and Digital Skills” is particularly significant for the state, as it aligns with the government’s broader vision of steering the youth toward a tech-driven future.

He added, "In the last eight years, Uttar Pradesh has revived many traditional enterprises and has taken decisive steps to transform scale into skill. As part of this digital empowerment mission, the state is distributing smartphones and tablets to 2 crore youth, with 50 lakh beneficiaries already reached. Additionally, in partnership with Tata Technologies, 150 government-run Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) have been upgraded with modern technologies to ensure industry-relevant training."

He said, "Uttar Pradesh currently has around 400 government and 3,000 private ITIs, where skill development training is offered at minimal cost. Students enrolled in private ITIs also receive scholarships and various incentives." “Every young person deserves access to training and employment that reflects their talents and aspirations,” the Chief Minister said, reaffirming the government's core objective.

Speaking about the state’s investment-driven growth, CM Yogi highlighted that over the past eight years, enhanced law and order and investor-friendly policies have resulted in the implementation of investment proposals worth more than ₹15 lakh crore. These investments are creating lakhs of new jobs across sectors.

He emphasised the importance of synergy between industries and educational institutions to ensure that training programmes align with market demands. Referring to the CM Yuva Scheme, the Chief Minister stated that youth with skill development, ITI, polytechnic, or academic degrees are being offered interest-free loans up to ₹5 lakh. Launched on January 24 this year, the scheme has already benefited over 50,000 youth.

Under this initiative, only the principal amount needs to be paid by the beneficiaries, while the government covers the interest. An additional loan facility of up to ₹7.5 lakh will also be made available for scaling up.

He also highlighted the state government's efforts in reviving traditional industries through flagship schemes like One District One Product (ODOP) and Mukhyamantri Vishwakarma Shram Samman Yojana. He shared that under ODOP, over 1.5 crore people have gained employment, while more than one lakh artisans and craftsmen have received training and toolkits under the Vishwakarma Yojana. These initiatives, he said, have significantly strengthened the rural economy and brought dignity and income to traditional occupations.

CM Yogi also lauded the inspiring success stories of skilled youth honored during the event. He pointed out that many of them were left directionless after completing formal education, but skill development transformed their lives. Today, these individuals are earning between ₹25,000 and ₹1,00,000 per month. He encouraged the youth not to lose hope or succumb to despair, saying, “Frustration leads nowhere. With proper training and determination, anyone can script their own success story.” During the event, he presented the 'Youth Icon' award to 15 outstanding youths and handed over appointment letters to 11 candidates.

Underscoring the need for greater synergy between educational institutions and industries, CM Yogi introduced a new initiative to bridge this gap. He said that students engaged in industrial training will now complete their project work within industries, gaining real-world experience. As part of this program, the government will offer a monthly stipend of ₹5,000 for one year under the PM and CM internship schemes. After the internship, industries may choose to recruit the interns, or the experience will help them secure employment elsewhere, as their market value will naturally increase. “There is no dearth of opportunities for those who are skilled,” he added.

Highlighting the transformative role of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, CM Yogi stated that the policy empowers students to pursue academic degrees and skill-based training simultaneously. He praised the collaborative efforts of the Secondary Education Department and ITIs, which are now offering vocational education within schools, allowing students to pursue dual degrees or certificate programs.

He also pointed to emerging opportunities in futuristic sectors such as drone technology, robotics, artificial intelligence, and 3D printing, while reaffirming the continued demand for skilled professionals in traditional trades like plumbing, electrical work, and air conditioning repair. “Our goal,” he said, “is to align youth training with market demands to ensure maximum employability.”

The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Vocational Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Kapil Dev Agarwal, MSME Minister Rakesh Sachan, Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi, Minister of State for Labour Mannu Kori, Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh, and others.

He also flagged off five skill chariots to spread awareness across the state. In addition, industry representatives were honoured with the 'Industry Ambassador' award. An MoU was also signed with Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Prayagraj, appointing it as a knowledge partner.