Bird Academy, the educational arm of Bird Group, has been invited by the Odisha Government’s Skill Development & Technical Education Department for skill development and technical education among the youth in Odisha under Nutana Unnata Abhilasha (NUA), Odisha.
The primary focus is on providing them with the skills necessary to secure sustainable employment opportunities in the rapidly expanding fields of Aviation and Hospitality, where currently no such facilities exist in the state. The overarching objective is to cultivate a multi-skilled, competent, and efficient workforce that bridges the considerable skill gap prevalent in these sectors.
According to the skill gap report from the Aerospace and Aviation Sector Skill Council, there is a potential for over 1.5 lakh jobs in the ground handling segment alone. In the hospitality sector, as per the Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council, there is a shortage of about 3.5 lakhs skilled individuals. Bird Academy, drawing from its expertise, will offer specialized training in airport ground handling at its facility in Kochi, Kerala, and pilot training in housekeeping, food & beverage, and front office management at Roseate Hotels & Resorts in New Delhi.
The initial phase will witness pilot batches undergoing training, with the first batch of 17 students already joining the institute in Cochin on December 14, 2023. Subsequently, a batch of 60 students will undergo training in Delhi for various roles in hospitality, including Room Boy, Steward/Waiter, and Kitchen – Commi.
The proposed training programs offer industry-relevant education for the first time in Odisha. This approach, tailored to industry requirements, is expected to enhance employability and open up vast opportunities for the youth of Odisha.