IIT Mandi Empowers Himachal Youth with Machine Learning Skills
The training program witnessed an active participation of 54 enthusiastic youth from various districts of Himachal Pradesh
Mandi : Indian Institute of Technology Mandi (IIT Mandi) in collaboration with the Himachal Pradesh Kaushal Vikas Nigam (HPKVN), successfully organized its 10th skill development training program aimed at empowering the youth of Himachal Pradesh with essential skills in Machine Learning.
The training program, which commenced on 29th January 2024 and concluded on 29th February 2024, witnessed the active participation of 54 enthusiastic youths from the Himachal region. Throughout the duration of the program, participants were immersed in a comprehensive curriculum designed to equip them with practical knowledge and skills in Machine Learning, a cutting-edge technology with vast applications across various industries.
Machine learning (ML), a subset of advance artificial intelligence (AI), has emerged as a cornerstone of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, also known as Industry 4.0. The demand for ML professionals in India has been growing rapidly, fueled by the country’s strong IT and software services sector. Major IT hubs like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, and the Delhi-NCR region have become centers for AI and ML job opportunities. Salaries range for ML professionals in India vary widely depending on experience, skills, location, and the employer. Entry-level positions may start from INR 3-6 lakhs per annum.
The concluding event, held at IIT Mandi, was graced by esteemed dignitaries, including Smt. Gandharva Rathore, IAS – Managing Director of HPKVN; Sh. Atul Karohta – State Coordinator of HPKVN; Sh. Shivendu Chauhan – District Coordinator of HPKVN; Prof. Tushar Jain – Head of the Centre for Continuing Education (CCE) at IIT Mandi; Prof. Manoj Thakur – Chairperson, School of Management, IIT Mandi; and Prof. Anjan Kumar Swain – Program Coordinator at IIT Mandi.
Smt. Gandharva Rathore, IAS – Managing Director of HPKVN, joined online, adding significance to the event. Her interaction with candidates offered a holistic perspective on students’ achievements and aspirations. Smt. Rathore emphasized the value of these courses, expressing confidence that they will help Himachali youth find career avenues aligned with market demand. She conveyed gratitude to the entire IIT staff for providing this valuable opportunity to the youth of Himachal and hinted at the introduction of more such training programs for the youth of Himachal in the future.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Tushar Jain, Head, Centre for Continuing Education, IIT Mandi, expressed his appreciation for the commitment and enthusiasm displayed by the participants throughout the training program. He said, ”I appreciate the efforts put in by HPKVN and their leadership to provide this opportunity and empower the youth of Himachal Pradesh. These one-month-long courses on machine learning along with IOT and Robotics offered by IIT Mandi focused on skill development and played a crucial role in enhancing the employability and economic prospects of these enthusiastic youths.”
Prof. Jain further added, “These courses will develop the participants’ futuristic skills by combining advanced technical and soft-skills components, providing a holistic development of individuals, and making them Industry 4.0 ready. All these courses are fully residential so that the youth of Himachal can take advantage of state-of-the-art labs and advance Software’s of IIT Mandi. This meaningful collaboration of IIT Mandi with HPKVN will benefit the youth of the state, and we will continue together to leverage this collaboration further through introduction of newer and more advanced short-term and long-term courses ranging from one month to six months duration dedicated to the vision of our Honourable Chief Minister and Technical Education Minister of Himachal Pradesh.”
The successful completion of the skill development training program on Machine Learning reaffirms IIT Mandi’s commitment to fostering innovation and skill development among the youth of Himachal Pradesh. Through collaborative efforts with HPKVN and other stakeholders, IIT Mandi continues to contribute towards building a skilled workforce and driving socio-economic development in the region.