Uttarakhand to Prepare Comprehensive Plan for Foreign Language Training to Boost Youth Employment: Chief Secretary
Foreign language training centres to be established in every district; Education Department to prepare plans for Atal Utkrisht and Rajiv Navodaya schools
Foreign languages to be incorporated into nursing education, with emphasis on connecting trained youth to domestic and international job opportunities
Dehradun, October 14, 2026: The Uttarakhand government will expand foreign language training programmes across the state to equip young people with skills aligned with global employment requirements and create new career opportunities. Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan issued directions to prepare a comprehensive action plan during a meeting with officials of the concerned departments at the Secretariat on Wednesday.
He emphasised that foreign language training should be developed as an extensive skill development initiative benefiting school students, ITI trainees, young people in the medical and nursing sectors, and other interested individuals.
Comprehensive Proposal for Foreign Language Training
The Chief Secretary directed the Personnel and Finance Departments to coordinate with the concerned departments and prepare a comprehensive proposal for the foreign language training programme.
He said the initiative should focus on equipping Uttarakhand’s youth with skills that meet the requirements of the international job market and expanding their access to employment opportunities.
He also stressed the need for high-quality training programmes delivered through both classroom-based and online modes, enabling young people across the state to access language learning opportunities.
Training Plans for Atal Utkrisht and Rajiv Navodaya Schools
The Education Department has been directed to prepare a plan to introduce training in foreign languages other than English across all Atal Utkrisht Schools and Rajiv Navodaya Schools in Uttarakhand.
The initiative aims to expand students’ exposure to foreign languages at the school level and integrate language learning into the state’s broader skill development efforts.
Foreign Language Training Centres in Every District
The Chief Secretary directed the Skill Development and Employment Department to expand its existing foreign language training programmes, currently operating in Dehradun, Almora and Bageshwar, to other districts across the state.
He called for establishing foreign language training centres in every district and involving centres operating as Centres of Excellence under the Skill Development Department.
He further stressed that training programmes should be designed according to actual labour market demand. Relevant agencies should maintain regular coordination to connect young people proficient in foreign languages with suitable job opportunities in India and abroad.
Ensuring training quality and providing recognised certificates to successful trainees were also highlighted as key priorities.
Doon University Students to Support Training Programmes
The Chief Secretary suggested engaging students studying foreign languages at Doon University to support the implementation of training programmes.
He also called for an appropriate incentive mechanism, including academic credits or other benefits, to encourage students to contribute to the initiative.
The proposed approach could provide practical exposure to foreign language students while supporting the delivery of training programmes across the state.
Foreign Languages to Be Included in Nursing Education
The Chief Secretary directed officials to incorporate foreign languages into nursing education. He noted that approximately 600 students are currently pursuing nursing training at government nursing colleges in Uttarakhand.
Providing these students with foreign language training would help strengthen their professional skills and prepare them for potential employment opportunities in international healthcare settings.
The meeting was attended by Secretaries Dilip Jawalkar, Dr Ranjit Kumar Sinha, Vinay Shankar Pandey and Jyoti Yadav; Doon University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Surekha Dangwal; and Additional Secretary Manuj Goyal, among other officials.
