GOA STRENGTHENS FIRE SAFETY SKILLS TRAINING THROUGH MOUS ON WORLD YOUTH SKILLS DAY

The Directorate of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of Goa, celebrated World Youth Skills Day on 15th July at Kala Academy, Panaji, in the august presence of Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant, who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.

The programme was attended by several distinguished dignitaries, including Shri Prasad Lolayekar, IAS, Secretary, Department of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Justice Abhay Sapre, Chairman, Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety, Shri Vinayak Kambli, Director, Directorate of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and Dr. Nitin Raikar, Director, Directorate of Fire & Emergency Services, alongwith senior government officials, industry representatives, trainees, and stakeholders from the skill development ecosystem.

A major highlight of the programme was the exchange of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between the Directorate of Fire & Emergency Services and two Government Industrial Training Institutes of Goa. The first MoU was exchanged between Government ITI, Mapusa and the Directorate of Fire & Emergency Services for conducting the Fire Technology and Industrial Safety Management trade under the Dual System of Training (DST) pattern. The second MoU was exchanged between Government ITI, Cacora and the Directorate for implementing the same trade under the On-the-Job Training (OJT) pattern.

These collaborations represent a significant step towards strengthening industry-integrated skill development in the field of fire technology and industrial safety. Through structured practical exposure, hands-on training, and close interaction with professional fire service personnel, trainees will acquire the knowledge, discipline, and competencies required to meet the growing demands of the fire safety and emergency response sector.

The Hon’ble Chief Minister, Dr. Pramod Sawant, appreciated this forward-looking initiative and remarked that such industry-linked training programmes will help produce highly skilled and professionally trained fire service personnel for the State. He further expressed that, in the future, the Government may consider making a recognised ITI training certificate in Fire Technology and Industrial Safety Management one of the essential qualifications during recruitment for fire service personnel, thereby encouraging greater professional competency and standardisation in the sector.

The exchange of these MoUs marks the beginning of a new chapter in the field of Fire Technology and Industrial Safety Management in Goa. It lays the foundation for developing a robust pipeline of technically qualified, industry-ready fire and safety professionals who will contribute significantly towards enhancing public safety, industrial preparedness, and emergency response capabilities across the State.

This landmark initiative is expected to usher in a new era of excellence in fire service training by fostering stronger collaboration between technical education institutions and the Directorate of Fire & Emergency Services. It reflects the Government of Goa’s commitment to nurturing a highly skilled workforce, promoting quality vocational education, and creating sustainable employment opportunities for the youth while strengthening the State’s disaster preparedness and fire safety infrastructure.

The Directorate of Fire & Emergency Services remains committed to supporting such collaborative initiatives that equip young professionals with the skills, confidence, and practical experience necessary to serve society with dedication and excellence.