“Over the past few years, the Goa-IPB has given the green light to numerous projects, cumulatively amounting to thousands of crores in investments, each promising significant employment opportunities. Despite these optimistic figures, official statistics indicate a growing unemployment rate in Goa. This discrepancy raises concerns about the actual impact of these approved projects on the local job market.
One of the main issues is the lag in actual project implementations. While many projects have received approval, the transition from paper to practice has been sluggish, leaving aspiring job seekers in limbo. Local youth, eager for employment, continue to wait for opportunities that remain unrealized on the drawing board. Speeding up project initiation and execution is crucial for translating potential into tangible job opportunities.”
The Goa Investment Promotion Board (Goa-IPB) on Wednesday approved nine projects with a staggering potential investment of Rs 733 crore. These projects are projected to create around 2,319 jobs for the local population, offering a glimmer of hope for employment in the state.
However, the celebration of these approvals is overshadowed by a pressing question: where are the jobs?
Over the past few years, the Goa-IPB has given the green light to numerous projects, cumulatively amounting to thousands of crores in investments, each promising significant employment opportunities. Despite these optimistic figures, official statistics indicate a growing unemployment rate in Goa. This discrepancy raises concerns about the actual impact of these approved projects on the local job market.
One of the main issues is the lag in actual project implementations. While many projects have received approval, the transition from paper to practice has been sluggish, leaving aspiring job seekers in limbo. Local youth, eager for employment, continue to wait for opportunities that remain unrealized on the drawing board. Speeding up project initiation and execution is crucial for translating potential into tangible job opportunities.
Moreover, there is a pressing need for the government to ensure that the employment generated from these projects is directed towards Goan youth.
Reports indicate that many project proponents are looking beyond the state’s borders, advertising vacancies in neighbouring states such as Karnataka and Maharashtra. This trend undermines the very purpose of these initiatives, which is to boost local employment. It is essential for the government to implement stringent regulations that prioritize hiring within the state to maximize the benefit from investments.
However, the onus is not solely on the government or project proponents. Local youth must also adjust their expectations in the job market.
For too long, the trend has been to pursue government jobs, often viewed as the epitome of stability and security.
While government positions are indeed desirable, the reality is that they cannot accommodate everyone. The Chief Minister’s statement about the need for local youth to be open to private sector jobs resonates with the current employment landscape.
To bridge the gap between available opportunities and qualified candidates, initiatives must be taken to equip the youth with the skills required in the private sector. Vocational training programs, entrepreneurship initiatives, and partnerships with industries can help create a workforce that is ready to meet the demands of new projects. This proactive approach will not only help the youth but also make the state more attractive to potential investors.
The promise of new projects in Goa is an opportunity that should not be overlooked.
However, to ensure that these promises translate into reality, both the government and the youth must adopt a collaborative approach.
The government should enforce policies that emphasize local employment, while young Goans must embrace the diverse opportunities in the private sector. In doing so, both parties can work together towards a future where unemployment is a thing of the past, and Goa thrives in an era of economic prosperity, driven by its own vibrant workforce.
