Jammu and Kashmir government with the help of Central assistance has launched a special program called the skill development initiative. Under the scheme 16,000 boys and girls from all the districts of J&K will be sent to various Industrial Training Institutes, it is, for training in demand driven trades. This was stated by J&K Minister for Technical Education, Youth Services and Sports, Mr. R.S Chib in Jammu. The Minister said that the Union Government as a special gesture has agreed to train young students of J&K State in various ITIs of the country adding 8000 selected students will be imparted training this year and another batch of 8000 will be trained next year. He said that out of these 6000 young boys and girls will be sent to various ITIs outside the state and 2000 trained within the State for which the project outlay is 23.08 crore rupees. The Minister further informed that Directorate of Technical Education will hold ‘placement fair’ from January 14th to 22nd at Government Polytechnic College, Jammu and on January 15th and 18th at ITI Srinagar and K. G. Polytechnic Srinagar for on the-spot recruitment of 700 diploma/ITI pass outs. Mr. Chib said prestigious companies will hold interview during the placement fairs for adjustment of 700 technically trained youth in their establishments across the country.