Yogi govt's boost to workforce development; support to leather industry, artisans
As Uttar Pradesh expands its industrial base, the state government is placing greater emphasis on workforce development alongside investment promotion. Along with measures to strengthen
As Uttar Pradesh expands its industrial base, the state government is placing greater emphasis on workforce development alongside investment promotion. Along with measures to strengthen micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the government is focusing on skill development, worker formalisation and social security coverage for the lakhs of employees powering the state's nearly 96 lakh MSME units. Officials say the approach recognises that industrial growth depends not only on investment and infrastructure but also on a skilled workforce capable of sustaining productivity and competitiveness across manufacturing clusters. Read Full Story STRENGTHENING MAJOR INDUSTRIAL CLUSTERS Kanpur's leather industry, one of the state's largest manufacturing hubs, continues to employ thousands of workers engaged in tanning, cutting, stitching and finishing operations.
A recent academic study found that employment in the sector is nearly evenly divided between permanent and contractual workers, with most receiving monthly wages, providing a relatively stable income structure. To strengthen the workforce, the government is working to link tannery workers with skill development programmes, health insurance schemes and digital identification through Udyog cards, enabling better access to welfare benefits, healthcare and accident insurance. SUPPORT FOR TRADITIONAL MANUFACTURING SECTORS The government has also extended assistance to traditional industrial clusters such as Moradabad's brassware industry and Meerut's sports goods sector. Through the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative and the State Vocational Training Council, artisans are receiving support for branding, packaging, design improvements and technical upgradation to enhance product quality and market access.
These measures aim to preserve traditional skills while improving the competitiveness of locally manufactured products in domestic and export markets. LABOUR WELFARE, SKILL ENHANCEMENT Workers employed in MSME units are covered under minimum wage rates notified by the state Labour Department according to skill categories, while workplace safety and welfare remain governed by the Factories Act. The government is also encouraging enterprises to enrol workers in insurance and pension schemes while promoting continuous skill development. At the same time, youth trained through Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) are increasingly joining MSMEs as machine operators, fitters and technicians, helping industries meet skilled manpower requirements. PUSH FOR FORMAL EMPLOYMENT Formalisation remains a key part of the state's industrial strategy.
The BriefWire