CM inaugurates ‘Connect to Work’ scheme to aid jobseekers

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday inaugurated the ‘Connect to Work’ scheme, marking a significant intervention in the State’s transition to a knowledge-based economy.

The initiative seeks to provide a monthly financial assistance of ₹1,000 to educated youth during the critical period of skill training or preparation for competitive examinations.

At the inauguration of the scheme, the Chief Minister said the scholarship was designed to reduce the financial and psychological stress faced by young job-seekers. “The scheme acts as a bridge, connecting our youth with the productive sectors of the economy at a time when they are transitioning from classrooms to the professional world,” he said.

Eligibility

The scholarship is available for one year to women and men from families with an annual income below ₹5 lakh. Eligible candidates include those who have completed Plus Two, VHSE, diploma, ITI, or undergraduate courses.

The Chief Minister noted that the response has been overwhelming, with over 30,000 applications received in the first phase via the Employment department’s online portal. During the event, the first instalment of the scholarship was distributed to select beneficiaries.

Employment

Mr. Vijayan used the occasion to highlight the government’s broader employment strategy, including the Vijnana Keralam programme and the Knowledge Economy Mission. He mentioned the challenges faced by women who often discontinued work owing to marriage or child-care responsibilities, asserting that these schemes would aid their re-entry into the workforce.

Kerala, he said, was a national leader in providing government employment opportunities. “While Kerala accounts for only 2.5 per cent of India’s population, it contributes a staggering 60 per cent of the total government job appointments made through Public Service Commissions (PSC) across the entire nation,” the Chief Minister said. Over 3.06 lakh appointments had been made via the Kerala PSC in the past decade alone, he added.

He also reiterated the State’s commitment to the private sector and the start-up ecosystem.

Changing aspirations

Presiding over the function, Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal said students were increasingly embracing part-time employment and skill-building while pursuing their education.

“Our students are going abroad not because the domestic education system is inadequate, but because of their immense capability and global competitiveness,” he said, adding that the government’s initiatives provided the help hand to achieve dream careers.