Utkarsha Bangla is the flagship skill development scheme of the Government of West Bengal, launched to provide free vocational training to the youth. Managed by the Paschim Banga Society for Skill Development (PBSSD), it aims to make the state’s workforce industry-ready and self-reliant.
Core Objectives
The primary goal is to provide market-linked short-term training to unemployed youth, enabling them to secure jobs in the private sector or start their own micro-enterprises.
Key Features
- Free Training: All courses under this scheme are provided free of cost to the candidates.
- Industry Placement: After successful completion, the government facilitates campus interviews and placement assistance with various private companies.
- Certification: Candidates receive a government-recognized certificate upon passing the final assessment, which is valid across India.
- Uniformity: It brings all state-run skill programs under one umbrella to ensure standardized training quality.
Available Training Sectors
Training is provided in over 40 sectors, including:
- Technical: Electrician, Plumbing, Welding, and Automotive repair.
- IT & Electronics: Data Entry, Computer Hardware, and Mobile Repairing.
- Healthcare: Nursing Assistant, General Duty Assistant, and Pharmacy Assistant.
- Apparel & Beauty: Tailoring, Fashion Designing, and Beautician courses.
- Hospitality & Retail: Retail Sales Associate, Front Office Executive, and Food & Beverage Service.
Eligibility Criteria
- Age: Generally between 18 and 45 years.
- Education: Eligibility varies by course, ranging from Class 5 pass to Graduate level.
- Residency: Must be a permanent resident of West Bengal.
How to Apply
- Online Registration: Visit the PBSSD Official Portal (pbssd.gov.in) to browse available courses and register online.
- Offline Centers: You can visit any government-run ITI, Polytechnic College, or designated Vocational Training Center in your block.
- BDO Office: Information and application help are available at the Block Development Office.
- Duare Sarkar: New enrollments are also processed during the periodic Duare Sarkar camps.
Required Documents