Skill First, Job Next

In the dynamic landscape of economic growth and human capital development, the need for robust, future-ready skilling frameworks has never been more urgent. In the case of Jammu and Kashmir, this urgency is magnified by a history of developmental disruption, unemployment anxieties, and socio-political transition. The recently concluded two-day National Conference on “Transforming the Skilling Ecosystem in Jammu & Kashmir,” held in Srinagar, is, therefore, not merely an event but a milestone in charting a transformative roadmap that places skill-based education and entrepreneurship at the heart of the region’s socio-economic revival. Bringing together over a hundred key stakeholders from across India—government officials, industry experts, educationists, and civil society voices—the conference laid the foundation for a long-term Skill Vision Plan that promises to reshape the employment narrative of Jammu and Kashmir.

Skill development, when approached as an enabler of opportunity and not just a supplement to formal education, becomes a powerful instrument for empowering individuals, especially the youth. The conference recognized this and focused extensively on aligning skill training with market needs. One of the core themes that emerged was the critical disconnect between academic learning and employability, underscored by the statement that the real crisis is not unemployment but employability. In a region where the aspirations of educated youth often meet the hard wall of inadequate job readiness, this distinction is both timely and necessary. Discussions revolved around designing curricula in partnership with industries, ensuring that vocational education is introduced early—in schools and colleges—to instill both technical proficiency and a culture of learning-by-doing. Equally significant was the call for dismantling systemic barriers through regulatory reform, digital integration, and interdepartmental coordination. Skilling cannot thrive in bureaucratic silos. The conference rightly emphasized the need for a unified, tech-enabled approach to skilling that streamlines processes, integrates data systems, and tracks outcomes across departments. A standout feature of the proposed roadmap was its inclusivity—‘Skills for All’ is not a slogan but a principle that anchors the strategy in equity. Whether it is students in urban colleges, women seeking financial independence, or young people in remote rural belts, the aim is to ensure that everyone has access to meaningful skilling opportunities. In parallel, the vision extends beyond job-seeking to job-creating. The integration of entrepreneurship into the skilling paradigm is a transformative shift. Jammu and Kashmir, with its immense potential in sectors such as agribusiness, handicrafts, tourism, and IT-enabled services, offers fertile ground for entrepreneurship to flourish—if adequately supported. The roadmap proposes synergy between the skilling ecosystem and the start-up economy, with incubation networks, MSME linkages, and credit facilitation as critical enablers. The proposed Skills University, digital learning platforms, and focus on green and emerging technologies are steps in the right direction that will help the region leapfrog into a knowledge-driven economy. It is also worth noting the human touch behind this ambitious vision. Leadership from the Department of Skill Development ensured that voices from across disciplines and regions were heard, reflecting a spirit of co-creation that bodes well for future implementation. Yet, the journey from conference resolution to ground-level impact will require unwavering political will, administrative agility, and community participation. The real success of this roadmap will be measured not in policy papers or pilot projects, but in the lives it transforms—when a young woman in Pulwama launches her own weaving unit after completing a certified skills program, or when a schoolboy in Kupwara becomes a drone technician through a future-focused curriculum.

As the region navigates its path toward lasting peace and prosperity, the focus on skilling and entrepreneurship represents more than economic upliftment; it symbolizes agency, dignity, and hope. In this, the roadmap envisioned at the Srinagar conference is not just about preparing for jobs of the future—it is about preparing Jammu and Kashmir for a future where development is inclusive, sustainable, and driven by the capabilities of its people. If implemented with clarity of purpose and sincerity of action, this vision can become a beacon for other regions striving to rebuild and reinvent in the face of adversity.