TV
A degree in engineering was once considered a passport to a promising career with lucrative prospects in Odisha. However, the situation for current engineering graduates appears increasingly challenging, raising concerns over their employability within the job market.
Recent data presented in the Odisha Legislative Assembly by the Minister for Skill Development and Vocational Education Sampad Swain has revealed a significant decline in employment rates for engineering graduates over the last decade. Startling figures show that only 50% of the state’s engineering graduates have successfully secured employment.
According to the report, out of 34,471 engineering graduates from the state in the past ten years, a mere 15,289 were able to find jobs, leaving an alarming 19,182 grappling with unemployment. The situation is more severe for diploma holders. Only 20,096 of 54,189 graduates have secured employment, leaving 34,051 without jobs.
These figures came to light following a question by Congress MLA Pabitra Saunta regarding employment opportunities for engineering and diploma graduates.
“Though BJP government ruled Odisha for 24 years, they have utterly failed to give employment to the youths. The new BJP government has also failed in this respect,” said Saunta.
In response BJP leader Babu Singh said, “At least 24,000 government recruitments have been provided to the youths during the tenure of BJP so far. Moreover, around 16,000 recruitments have been provided in the private sector. The youths in Odisha are being provided jobs as per their qualification.”
Now, question has been raised why the state of engineering education in the state has become so much miserable? Why students are not getting jobs by spending lakhs of rupees in engineering?
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In the current landscape, there are around 280 engineering colleges, including both government and private institutions. Each year, these colleges churn out nearly 9,000 graduates equipped with degrees and diplomas in engineering. Despite this substantial output, a significant portion of these graduates face an uphill battle securing employment.
Apart from the campus selection, Odisha government is proving recruitments through Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC), Odisha Staff Selection Commission (OSSC), and Odisha Subordinate Staff Selection Commission (OSSSC). However, the sluggish pace of recruitment through these channels is a growing concern. There are vacancies across various departments, yet recruitment remains notably stagnant. Although a few notifications for job vacancies have been released, they fall short of meeting the demand.
Adding to the frustration is the delay in the announcement of results for written examinations for certain positions. In some situations, even after the results are declared, appointments are significantly delayed further exacerbating student discontent.
Every year, thousands of engineering graduates enter the job market only to be greeted by a scarcity of opportunities. This situation fuels dissatisfaction and frustration. Furthermore, the practice of re-employment in positions that become vacant contributes to this discontent.
“I request the government on behalf of the Engineering Students’ Association to change policy and provide employment to the students,” said Keshab Chandra Pradhan, an engineering student.
“Government of Odisha has brought many national and international companies to provide free of cost short term courses to the current and last batch of students. They are very lucky,” said OPECA Secretary Binod Das.
