In a significant boost to rural employment and skill development, a new batch of trainees under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) 2.0 has commenced training in Tripura, marking another step towards equipping rural youth with industry-ready skills and connecting them with job opportunities across the country.

The programme was formally launched through a Batch Freezing Ceremony held at the training centre of CLR Facilities Pvt. Ltd. in Khayerpur, Agartala. With the ceremony, training began for 70 rural youths from different parts of Tripura, enrolled in two batches of the Retail Sales Associate course.

Designed to improve employability among rural youth, the training programme will run for 90 days and is being implemented under the DDU-GKY 2.0 initiative. The course aims to prepare candidates for careers in the organised retail sector and other service-based industries, sectors that continue to generate large-scale employment opportunities across India.

The programme offers a comprehensive residential training model, ensuring that participants can focus entirely on skill development without financial burden. Trainees are being provided with free accommodation, meals, study materials, uniforms and tablets, along with other educational support. Separate hostel facilities have also been arranged for male and female participants.

Officials associated with the programme said the initiative is intended not merely as a training exercise but as a pathway to sustainable livelihood opportunities. Upon completion of the course, trainees will be eligible for placement opportunities in sectors such as organised retail, shopping malls, airports and other customer-service-oriented establishments located across the country.

The event was attended by Tarit Kanti Chakma, IAS, Chief Executive Officer of Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission (TRLM) and Chief Operating Officer (Skills), TRLM, along with the State Head of CLR Facilities Pvt. Ltd. During the programme, newly enrolled trainees were handed books, uniforms, tablets and other learning materials required for the course.

Participants from various districts of Tripura expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity, viewing the programme as a gateway to professional training and long-term employment. Many of them come from rural backgrounds where access to structured skill-development programmes and organised-sector jobs remains limited.

Officials highlighted that DDU-GKY 2.0 focuses on bridging the gap between rural youth and the job market by providing industry-relevant training aligned with employer requirements. The initiative seeks to create a skilled workforce capable of competing in national employment markets while promoting economic self-reliance among young people.

With the latest batches now underway, Tripura continues to expand its efforts to empower rural youth through market-oriented skill development programmes, reinforcing the broader objective of transforming job seekers into skilled professionals capable of securing stable wage employment and building independent careers.