Govt aims to create 20 lakh jobs through Knowledge Economy Mission, says CM; 'Connect to Work' scheme launched

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the government is aiming to create at least 20 lakh new jobs through the Knowledge Economy Mission. The Chief Minister was inaugurating the “Connect to Work” scheme, which provides financial assistance to young men and women who have completed their studies for skill training and competitive exam preparation.

"This initiative is part of the government’s efforts to transform Kerala into a knowledge-based economy. The goal is to move beyond simply helping people find jobs, and instead connect young people directly with the production and business sectors. The growth of the startup sector in the state and the revolutionary changes in the MSME sector underscore the state’s development," the Chief Minister said.

"In 2016, Kerala had around 300 startups. Today, more than 7,500 startups are functioning in the state. Over the past decade, more than three lakh appointments have been made through the Public Service Commission (PSC), with Kerala accounting for 60% of all PSC recruitments in India. The new scheme continues the state’s startup policy, which transforms youth into entrepreneurs and employers," he said.

The event was chaired by Minister K.N. Balagopal. Other speakers included Ministers K. Rajan, A.K. Saseendran, K. Krishnankutty, G.R. Anil, MP A.A. Rahim, MLA V.K. Prasanth, District Panchayat President V. Priyadarshini, and Director of Public Education S. Shanavas.

Eligible candidates to receive Rs 1000 per month for one year
Under the “Connect to Work” scheme, eligible candidates will receive Rs 1,000 per month for one year. Applicants aged between 18 and 30 who have completed Plus Two, VHSE, ITI, diploma, or a degree can apply. The family’s annual income must be below Rs 5 lakh. Applications are submitted online through employment.kerala.gov.in.

So far, 36,500 applications have been received. After verification, the first list of 10,000 candidates has been prepared, and the financial assistance will be directly credited to their bank accounts. The scheme aims to provide support to 5 lakh beneficiaries in total.