Bhubaneswar: The government today launched several initiatives under the NUA Odisha scheme for better skilling of the youths in the state.

The initiatives were launched at an event at SCTEVT auditorium in Odisha capital here in the presence of Skill Development and Technical Education Minister Pritiranjan Gharai.

The state government inked an MoU with the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) for providing 12^th class certificates to ITI students in Odisha.

Over 20,000 ITI students in the state will receive 12th class certificates annually through this new initiative, said an official.

The state government also launched the New AGE Skilling Courses to equip the youths of Odisha with skills required in the job market.

Besides, the government signed a pact with the NASSCOM to provide digital skilling opportunities to the youths of Odisha. As many as 1 lakh youths in the state will get e-skilling opportunities under this initiative annually. The online skilling courses have been curated in collaboration with industry leaders including Microsoft and Coursera, said the official.

Moreover, the government introduced Decentralised Skilling Programme in all 30 districts to bring skill development training to the doorstep of the youths.

At least 5,000 ITI students in the state will be upskilled in new age trades through short-term courses under this initiative.

Apart from this, the government launched an initiative to create women leaders through Executive MBA programmes for members of Mission Shakti Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs). Besides, steps will be taken to set up a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for girl students in Odisha, added the official.