Dikhyaa Mohanty 
On Wednesday, the government of Odisha signed three strategic alliances with the goal of developing a workforce that is competent, prepared for the future, and able to compete on a national and worldwide scale. In the presence of SDTE Minister Sampad Chandra Swain, the department of skill development and technical education (SDTE) signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with the Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI), JustJobs Network, and the Global Access to Talent from India (GATI) Foundation.
Highlighting the importance of the initiative, Swain said skill development has been placed at the centre of the state’s vision for a “Viksit Odisha.” “Our youth must be equipped not only to seize opportunities in Odisha and India but also to thrive on the global stage,” he said, adding that the agreements represent “investments in the future of our young people.”
Officials said the partnership with GATI Foundation will prepare Odisha’s youth for international markets, positioning the state as a source of highly skilled global professionals. The tie-up with JustJobs Network will help craft research-driven, inclusive skilling policies that better match aspirations with employment opportunities. Meanwhile, the collaboration with FDDI (Hyderabad campus) will introduce non-leather footwear skilling programmes in the state, opening new pathways for jobs and entrepreneurship in a fast-growing industry.
