From Odisha to the World: State Signs MoUs to Build Future-Ready Workforce

In a significant step towards transforming Odisha into a hub of skilled talent, the Skill Development & Technical Education (SDTE) Department of the Government of Odisha signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with three premier organizations today. The signing took place in the presence of Shri Sampad Chandra Swain, Hon’ble Minister, Skill Development & Technical Education.

Strengthening Odisha’s Skill Ecosystem

The MoUs were signed with the Global Access to Talent from India (GATI) Foundation, JustJobs Network, and the Footwear Design & Development Institute (FDDI). The collaborations reaffirm Odisha’s commitment to:

• Expanding global opportunities for youth

• Strengthening evidence-based skill policies

• Building pathways in sunrise industries and emerging sectors

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Sampad Chandra Swain emphasized:
“Under the leadership of our Hon’ble Chief Minister, skill development has been placed at the heart of our journey towards Viksit Odisha. Our youth must be equipped not only for opportunities in our state and country but also to succeed on the global stage.”

MoUs to Drive Global Mobility, Policy Research & Sunrise Sector Skills

Highlighting the partnerships, the Minister added:
“These MoUs are more than partnerships, they are investments in the future of Odisha’s young people. We are not just creating jobs, we are shaping futures and building the confident, future-ready Odisha of tomorrow.”

The collaborations bring distinct strengths:

• Global Mobility: With the GATI Foundation, Odisha will prepare its youth for international markets, positioning the state as a hub of highly skilled global professionals.

• Evidence-Based Policy: The tie-up with JustJobs Network will focus on research-driven skill development policies that align youth aspirations with real opportunities.

• Sunrise Sector Skilling: In collaboration with FDDI Hyderabad Campus, Odisha will pioneer non-leather footwear skilling, creating fresh avenues for employment and entrepreneurship in a high-growth industry.

Leaders & Signatories

The MoUs were signed by:

• Shri Arnab Bhattacharya, CEO, GATI Foundation

• Ms. Sabina Dewan, Founder & Executive Director, JustJobs Network

• Dr. Narasimhugari T. L. Reddy, Executive Director, FDDI Hyderabad Campus

The event also witnessed the presence of:

• Shri Bhupendra Singh Poonia, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, SDTE

• Ms. Rashmita Panda, Director, Skill Development-cum-Employment & CEO, OSDA & WSC

A New Era of Skilling in Odisha

With these partnerships, Odisha is set to reach new frontiers in skilling—where global ambition, evidence-based strategies, and innovative sectoral focus converge to empower its youth. The initiative reinforces the state’s vision of preparing a confident, globally competitive workforce, aligned with its larger mission of achieving Viksit Odisha.