State-run power producer National Thermal Power Corporation, NTPC, will start a skill development programme for 144 youngsters from Jammu and Kashmir next week. The 36-week training programme in thermal power plan engineering will be under the Centre's UDAAN initiative which is aimed at imparting skills to the youth from the state. The trainees would be given a monthly stipend of 2,500 rupees. The company would also assist them in getting placements. Under the programme, NTPC aims to train 200 youths from Jammu and Kashmir every year for a period of five years.