By Dr. Firdous Ahmad Malik
The largest problem that the people of Kashmir are facing at the moment is unemployment. Even as the young are getting advanced degrees, the issue seems to only be worsening. This is why the issue of educated unemployment is a cause for alarm.
Unemployment among the educated is the outcome of a mismatch between the supply of young people with high qualifications and the demand for highly skilled labour.
The causes of educated unemployment in Kashmir are many. To begin with, the lack of government investment in numerous industries is one of the key reasons behind educated unemployment in Kashmir. Due to a lack of infrastructure and investment, there are not enough jobs in the area, and industries have not expanded to their full potential. A lack of emphasis on skill development and vocational education in the area is another factor contributing to the lack of competent labourers. A dearth of entrepreneurship is another major factor contributing to the issue of educated unemployment. Young people frequently do not want to start their own businesses; instead, they simply want to work for the government. This lack of entrepreneurial drive makes unemployment a bigger issue.
Additionally, Kashmir’s issue with educated unemployment is brought on by a dearth of appropriate guidance and job counselling. Most young people lack knowledge or have inaccurate information about the local labour market and career opportunities. They choose programmes of study and degrees that are useless for finding employment. Additionally, the government’s reservation policies based on gender, caste, and religion have slowed productivity and innovation, which has led to a paucity of job prospects. Similarly, the political turmoil and security concerns have exacerbated this situation. As a result, businesses are reluctant to invest, and the locals are unable to make a decent living.
Consequently, there is social discontent, poverty, and slower economic growth in the region. People without jobs live by lesser standards and struggle to pay for essentials. Their mental health is impacted, and they start to adopt pessimistic outlooks on life. Additionally, educated youth end up burdening society and their families. Their degrees and education are wasted, and their unemployment makes them feel frustrated and powerless. Their mental health is impacted, and social unrest results. More concerning is the possibility that educated youth could succumb to the temptation and take to violence and other criminal activities.
Even as the situation seems beyond repair, several steps might be implemented to alleviate the problem of educated unemployment in Kashmir.
The government should prioritise supporting and fostering entrepreneurship. The youth should be given access to simple loans, better training facilities, and mentoring so they can launch their businesses and work for themselves. This can be accomplished by using start-up incubators, which offer an atmosphere that is beneficial to the growth of start-ups. There are many such schemes by the government, however, more awareness needs to be raised about these.
The government should also offer youth skill-based training. This would assist them in developing the skills required by various businesses, enhancing their employability. The government might work with private businesses to offer youth programmes like internships and apprenticeships.
To direct children towards a successful future, schools should also implement a well-planned career counselling and advice programme. The students will be able to plan their careers early and avoid choosing programmes that won’t be valued by employers.
Through tax breaks, incentives, and subsidies, the government should also support the growth of local industries. This will boost economic growth, generate more jobs, and attract more investment to the area. The government should also concentrate on enhancing the educational system by promoting experiential learning as opposed to just theoretical instruction. The students’ practical skill development will benefit from this as they prepare to compete on the job market.
On the other hand, private universities can help Jammu & Kashmir by providing a wide variety of courses and programmes, which could lead to more employment prospects. Academic staff members as well as support staff members like administrative staff, technical staff, and research experts have employment opportunities at these universities. Additionally, the creation of private universities has the potential to boost the local economy by luring students from around India and the globe, resulting in more money for the local economy and the government. Additionally, access to a top-notch education can increase the employability of the local populace, luring additional firms and investment to the area. As a result, funding for private institutions in Jammu and Kashmir may result in a booming economy that benefits both the local populace and the wider community.
The administration should also concentrate on finding solutions to the problems of political turmoil and security concerns in the area. This would promote investment and provide Kashmir’s citizens with a secure environment.
In Kashmir, educated unemployment is growing and needs rapid intervention. The government’s current efforts to address the issue are insufficient, and it is crucial that it adopt more assertive actions to solve the situation. The government should prioritise supporting entrepreneurship, delivering skill-based education, and launching youth-friendly career counselling initiatives. Fostering an atmosphere that will support industry.
- The author is an Assistant Professor of Economics, University of People, Pasadena, California, United States. Email: [email protected]
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