A new course to meet the shortage of skilled manpower in the hospitality industry has begun in the country from this academic year. Initially the course has been started inCentral Model and Navodaya Vidyalayas besides some Central Schools. An MoU to this effect was signed in New Delhi today between CBSE and National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology. The country needs 2.3 lakh skilled people in the industry every year and only 18 thousand people are being imparted training every year. Besides this, another course is on anvil to meet this gap. The course will be launched by the Human Resource Development Ministry in collaboration with the Hotel Association of India. Official sources said that the Ministry is involving the corporate sector in a big way to meet the growing demand of skilled manpower which will ensure better economic growth and job opportunities for those youth who are unable to make to the higher education. The Minister of Tourism has sanctioned 12 new state hotel management institutes besides 11 new foodcraft institutes for the purpose. Speaking on the occasion, the Human Resource Development Minister, Mr. Kapil Sibal said envisages engaging young persons by giving them employable skills and help grow economy in a bid to achieve inclusive education in the country.