Sanjeev Arora inaugurates ASSOCHAM Conclave on skilling for MSMEs in Punjab
Chandigarh, November 7, 2025: Punjab Industry & Commerce, IT and Investment Promotion Minister Sanjeev Arora on Friday inaugurated the ASSOCHAM Conclave on Skilling for the MSME Sector, calling for tighter industry–academia linkages to bridge the employability gap and prepare youth for emerging industries.
Hosted at Hotel Mountview by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India, the forum brought together senior government officials, industry leaders and academics to chart a practical roadmap for a robust skilling ecosystem aligned to MSME needs.
Arora said basic education and hands‑on skill training are the twin foundations of growth, stressing that confidence and applied learning are as vital as classroom instruction for first‑time job‑seekers. He flagged expanding opportunities across MSME, defence and automotive, and cited textiles, food processing, auto and defence manufacturing as engines of innovation and quality jobs in Punjab.
Urging collaboration between training institutions and employers, the minister underlined the role of ITIs and skill centres in building talent pipelines for semiconductors, electronics and advanced manufacturing, and asked stakeholders to work toward making Punjab a hub of skilled manpower and innovation‑led entrepreneurship.
Seema Bansal, Vice‑Chairperson, Punjab Development Commission, called for sustained coordination among government, academia and industry to strengthen delivery on skilling outcomes.
ASSOCHAM leaders said the conclave aimed to close the gap between skill providers and employers and to align Punjab’s skill roadmap with its industrial growth vision. Abhi Bansal, Chairman, ASSOCHAM Punjab State Development Council; Rakesh Bhalla, Chairman, ASSOCHAM Chandigarh UT Council; Drishmeet Buttar, Co‑Chairman, ASSOCHAM Chandigarh UT Development Council; and Iqbal Cheema, Co‑Chairman, ASSOCHAM Punjab State Development Council, participated.
Sharing the industry perspective, Bhalla pointed to new opportunities in auto components, EVs, food processing and defence, and called for tighter alignment between training curricula and shop‑floor needs. Delivering the thematic address, Buttar said Punjab’s young workforce—if equipped with digital and technical skills and mentorship—can power India’s next leg of manufacturing growth.
C‑PYTE Director General Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Dr. R.S. Mann stressed strong linkages between employers and training institutions, while NSDC International (North) head Rajat Bhatnagar highlighted Punjab’s expanding prospects in global skilling and overseas workforce development.
Concluding the proceedings, Cheema reaffirmed ASSOCHAM’s partnership with the state to strengthen MSMEs, create quality jobs and drive inclusive industrial growth through coordinated action.