Chandigarh: Punjab, in partnership with the IIT Madras promoter, has become the first state in the country to launch a state-level career guidance program. Under this program, an infrastructure will be developed to equip every teacher with a trained career mentor.
Sharing this information here today, Punjab Education Minister Mr. Harjot Singh Bains said that this important program will ensure the training of over 5,000 teachers to prepare students for the future, provide accurate information about career options, and guide them in career selection.
Mr. Bains said that the program will provide teachers with free online training in basic career counseling, skills for classroom sessions, and one-on-one guidance. Under this program, teachers will gain information about the top 100 high-demand careers, structured assessment tools, and emerging career trends at the national and global level. IIT Madras will provide ongoing educational support and digital resources.
Mr. Bains stated that through this partnership, we aim to create a meaningful and positive impact by enabling teachers to serve as effective career counselors in their schools. Through this collaboration, teachers will serve as the backbone of a structured career guidance ecosystem. He added that Punjab has now become the first state to implement a state-level career counseling and guidance program for teachers.
Mr. Harjot Singh Bains stated that after receiving the training, all teachers will be able to help students identify their potential, explore new-age professions, and choose evidence- and competency-based paths.
Dr. Amarpal Singh, Chairman of the Punjab School Education Board, said that this initiative is expected to particularly benefit students from rural and backward areas, providing them with easy access to high-quality career guidance, which was previously limited to private counselors. Over the next few months, thousands of teachers will gain new skills, new confidence, and a new ability to shape the future of millions of children.
Expressing his delight at the partnership with the Board, Mr. Srikant, Chief Knowledge Officer, IIT Madras Pravartak, said, “Our objective is clear and simple: no child in Punjab should choose a career based on confusion or incomplete information.”
