JAMMU, MAY 18: Principal Secretary, Skill Development Department, Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon, today chaired the 17th meeting of Board of Governors Food Craft Institute (FCI), Jammu, here at Civil Secretariat. While reviewing performance of the institute, Dr Samoon appreciated the Principal and management of the institute for conducting various trainings in the hospitality sector besides ensuring placement of the successful candidates in the sector. Dr Samoon instructed the FCI Principal to further step up efforts in creating employment opportunities for the unemployed youth so that the students after attaining the skills can venture into the Hospitality Sector with their skills apart from regular studies. While reviewing progress on training and placement of students, Principal Secretary said that tie up with various five star hotels across the country is a welcome step where students will get good exposure during six months industrial training helping them get employment in the later stages preferably in the same hotel. He also appreciated those students who are joining Cruise Lines for better career opportunities. FCI Principal, during his PowerPoint Presentation, briefed that various short term programmes are being conducted at various destinations across the UT as per the guidelines of Union Ministry of Tourism. The career progression of staff of the institute was also deliberated upon to which certain instructions were conveyed to the Principal for following the procedure. It was informed in the meeting that FCI has entered into an MoU with J&K Police for training and placement of next of kin of their Martyrs. Besides, FCI Jammu shall soon impart specific trainings to Jail inmates of Kot Bhalwal which would help them attain skills for their livelihood at later stages. The Board appreciated FCI for conducting other activities like Swatchta Pakwada at various tourist destinations like holy town Katra, Shiv Khori, Akhnoor, Mansar and Surisar during the last year. It also lauded conduct of workshop on skilling of youth in the institute under the chairmanship of Dr. Asgar Hassan Samoon. Later, the meeting also accorded approval for purchase of one bus for the institute. Among others the meeting was attended by Sudershan Kumar, Director Skill Development, Vivekanand Rai, Director Tourism Jammu, Sachin Dev Singh, Additional Secretary Tourism, Tariq Ahmed Kakru, GM JKTDC, Qazi Shabir, Principal IHM Srinagar and Pawan Gupta, President Hotel & Lodges Association, Jammu.
