Panaji: The skill gap plaguing the private sector can be bridged if companies proactively come forward to provide youngsters and students with practical exposure and workplace experience, said govt officials.Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) has urged companies to provide structured internship opportunities by joining the Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme (PMIS).“The PMIS presents a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between education and industry by providing young talent with practical exposure and workplace experience. GIDC is committed to facilitating greater industry participation in this initiative and encouraging companies across Goa’s industrial ecosystem to contribute towards building a skilled and future-ready workforce. Such collaborations will not only benefit students but also help industries identify and nurture emerging talent,” said Pravimal Abhishek, managing director of GIDC.The PMIS, introduced in the Union Budget 2024–25, is a flagship initiative aimed at connecting academic education with industry needs by offering structured and paid internship opportunities to the youth of India. The scheme provides interns with a monthly stipend of Rs 9,000, which includes Rs 8,100 contributed by the central govt and Rs 900 by the participating company. Additionally, interns receive a one-time incidental grant of ₹6,000 through direct benefit transfer (DBT).Director of higher education Bhushan Savaikar said that the manufacturing sector can contribute to Goa’s efforts to enhance youth employability and skill development by creating meaningful internship opportunities. “That will help build a future-ready workforce for the nation,” Savaikar said.GIDC along with the registrar of companies and the directorate of higher education are trying to increase the employability opportunities for young Goan graduates. The directorate of higher education is the nodal department for the scheme in Goa.The session also provided a platform for industry representatives to engage directly with officials and gain clarity on the process of onboarding interns under the scheme.“Internships are not merely a bridge between education and employment; they are an investment in the future workforce. Goa has already shown promising results,” said registrar of companies Trupti Sharma.
