Share your story and shine at JK Monitor!🌟 Welcome to JK Monitor, where every story matters and every achievement is celebrated! We invite you to share the remarkable journey of your life and showcase your accomplishments to the world. Join our exclusive interviews that honor exceptional individuals just like you. JAMMU: A National Seminar on “Employment Market Structural Shifts, Skill Logics and Policy Challenges” was inaugurated today at the Brigadier Rajinder Singh Auditorium, University of Jammu. The seminar was organised by the Department of Lifelong Learning, University of Jammu.
The inaugural session was graced by Sh. B. B. Sharma, IAS (Retd.) as the Chief Guest. The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Raizada Sourab Bali, HR Professional and Entrepreneur. The function was presided over by Prof. Sandeep Pandita, Director, Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre (MMTTC), University of Jammu.
The seminar aims to provide a platform for academicians, policymakers, industry experts, researchers, and students to deliberate on the changing structure of the employment market amid rapid economic, technological, and policy transformations.
Addressing the gathering, Sh. B. B. Sharma, IAS (Retd.) emphasized the need to improve employment prospects in India through sectoral growth, expansion of opportunities beyond metropolitan areas, strong demand in technology and services, and better alignment between skills and market requirements.
In his keynote address, Mr. Raizada Sourab Bali stressed the growing importance of skills-based hiring over traditional degree-centric approaches, particularly in emerging fields such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and data analytics.
In his presidential address, Prof. Sandeep Pandita highlighted the urgent need to align education and skill development systems with industry demands. He noted that the future of employment will increasingly depend on adaptive skills, lifelong learning, and inclusive policy frameworks.
The inaugural session was attended by Dr. Rewa Khajuria, Co-Organising Secretary, faculty and non-teaching staff of the Department of Lifelong Learning, along with faculty members and students from various departments of the University.
Earlier, in her welcome address, Dr. Priyanka Sharma, Director, Department of Lifelong Learning, noted that the seminar is centred on contemporary employment patterns and evolving career prospects. She pointed to the profound structural changes that have reshaped the job market over the past three decades and stressed the need for meaningful discussion on the challenges and opportunities emerging in this changing landscape. The session concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Dr. Bharti Pathania, Organising Secretary of the seminar.
Following the inaugural session, a plenary session was held featuring eminent academicians, bureaucrats, and industry experts, including Dr. Arun Manhas, Director, Industries and Commerce; Ms. Manu Khajuria, Founder, Voice of Dogra; Prof. N. S. Tung, Former Head, Department of Psychology, GNDU; Mr. Aijaz Qaiser Malik, Joint Director, Tourism; and Mr. Anubhav Kohli, Founder, Lawgger Technology Pvt. Ltd., among others.
The plenary session focused on current employment market trends, emerging job roles, in-demand skills, and the gap between education, employability, and industry expectations. It also aimed to create awareness about challenges and opportunities in today’s labour market and encourage dialogue on future workforce needs and policy interventions.
The discussions raised critical questions regarding skill requirements and preparedness to meet evolving market demands. The first day of the seminar concluded with two parallel academic sessions that explored diverse dimensions of the employment market. These sessions highlighted key themes shaping the contemporary employment landscape and reflected a shared commitment to innovation, resilience, and sustainable development.