Dehradun: Uttarakhand is preparing to link the cooperative movement with employment, entrepreneurship and startups. The new cooperative policy proposes an integrated framework covering training, internships, startups and recruitment to encourage young people to join the cooperative sector. The objective is to transform youth from job seekers into job-creating entrepreneurs.
Under the policy, orientation programmes will be launched to provide young people with information about employment and business opportunities in cooperative institutions. Short-term internships are also proposed for students and youth so that they can gain firsthand knowledge of the functioning of cooperative institutions.
The new policy also emphasises linking cooperatives with higher education and skill development. For this purpose, cooperative-focused courses, local examples and digital learning systems will be developed. This will enable students to learn about employment opportunities in the cooperative sector and the local economy while pursuing their studies.
To make the recruitment process in the cooperative sector more transparent, the government plans to establish an integrated Cooperative Employment Portal, an independent selection process and career counselling centres. Universities will also be linked with the cooperative sector to promote research, training and the development of expertise.
Special emphasis will be placed on developing self-employment opportunities linked to local resources and economic activities, particularly in the hill districts. Skill development centres are planned at the district level to provide youth with training based on local requirements. Women’s entrepreneurship will also be incorporated into this initiative.
According to Cooperation Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat, the objective of the new policy is to modernise the cooperative sector and create new employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for young people. The policy will help strengthen cooperatives as an important means of economic development and self-employment in the state.
