AU to offer skill development courses for ex-servicemen

Visakhapatnam: After training a diverse pool of defence personnel of various ranks and institutions, Andhra University is all set to take the AU-Defence Joint Education Programme a step forward by offering skill development programmes to retired defence personnel for the first time. For the same, Andhra University has partnered with the Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC), which raised the proposal before the varsity officials.
The entry level employees of the armed forces, particularly soldiers, are recruited based on their class X/XII qualification in most cases.This leaves a majority of ex-servicemen bereft of second career prospects after the end of their short-term service, which is normally 15 years.
Now these skill training courses are expected to be beneficial for them in finding employment. The officials have zeroed in on seven suitable programmes and in the first phase, the initiative will be launched with three courses — Fire & Industrial Safety Engineering, Fitness Training and Foreign Language programmes.
Around one lakh ex-servicemen from the state will benefit from the initiative. Andhra University vice-chancellor Prof G Nageswara Rao told TOI that AU is the first Indian varsity to offer such courses to retired defence personnel.
“The major objective of this initiative is to catalyse and evolve a skilled mechanism for retired defence personnel or their dependants,” said Prof Rao.
AU defence joint education programme coordinator Ujwal Kumar Ghatak said while the APSSDC will take care of the finance component of the courses, the Zilla Sainik Welfare offices will shoulder the responsibility of identifying the candidates for training. “Andhra University will act as the training partner and provide them with professional certification. Those who are undergoing training will also be offered daily training allowance,” said Ghatak.
Visakhapatnam Zilla Sainik Welfare officer Colonel P J Lawrence explained how the initiative too shape. “Andhra Pradesh Sainik Welfare director Commodore M V S Kumar raised the proposal with IT minister Nara Lokesh, which was then referred to the APSSDC. A
ndhra University gave its consent for the proposal from APSSDC CEO K Sambasiva Rao. The skill development training will help the retired personnel in finding suitable employment after their retirement,” said Col Lawrence.