Lokesh Pushes Industry-Linked Skills, Livelihood Support at Nakkapalli

Vijayawada:Education and human resources minister Nara Lokesh has said Andhra Pradesh is focused on equipping youth with employment-oriented skills and ensuring that local communities benefited from industrial growth.

Notably, the state government joined hands with ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) to establish a skill and community development centre at Nakkapalli in Anakapalli district. The state skill development corporation signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with this firm on Wednesday to set up the centre, which will combine industry-oriented vocational training with livelihood support for fishermen, farmers, youth and women.

Participating in the event, Lokesh said, “Our priority is to help young people in Andhra Pradesh build skills that lead to employment and ensure that local communities benefit from the state’s industrial growth.”

He said the centre would bring industry-linked training and livelihood support under one roof, strengthening the livelihoods of fishermen and farmers while creating new opportunities for youth and women.

The centre, he said, would offer vocational training aligned with industry requirements, recognised certification and placement assistance for eligible local youth. It would also conduct programmes in fisheries, agriculture and livestock management to improve existing livelihoods.

Special attention would be given to women-led enterprises, skill development and self-employment, enabling women to pursue income-generating activities and strengthen their financial independence.

The initiative aims to improve employment prospects, promote self-employment, raise household incomes and ensure that residents of Nakkapalli and surrounding areas share the benefits of the region’s industrial expansion. The proposed programmes would also help eligible beneficiaries access relevant government schemes.

Ashutosh Telang, director and vice-president of AM/NS India, said the collaboration with APSSDC would help eligible youth acquire industry-relevant skills, recognised certification and employment support. He acknowledged the support extended by the local administration, particularly Anakapalli collector Vijaya Krishnan.

The LoI was signed by APSSDC managing director and CEO Ganesh Kumar and Telang. It records the preliminary intent of both parties to establish the centre, with detailed arrangements for its development and implementation, to be finalised through a memorandum of understanding.

AM/NS India is also setting up an integrated steel plant with a capacity of 8.2 million tonnes per annum in Andhra Pradesh.