Green Skill Development Programme (GSDP) 2026-27 on "Solar Enterprise Assistant Manager" Launched at Gangtok
The Environment Information, Awareness, Capacity Building and Livelihood Programme (EIACP) Hub of the Forest and Environment Department inaugurated the Green Skill Development Programme (GSDP) 2026-27 on the NCVET-approved certificate course "Solar Enterprise Assistant Manager" for 20 candidates at Forest Conference Hall, Gangtok, on 18th August 2026.
The 68-day-long Green Skilling Course marks the start of an over two-month training on the solar energy sector, to be conducted at different parts of the State, mostly in Gangtok District, till the end of October 2026, under the expert guidance of resource persons from Renewable Energy Applications and Consultation in Himalayas (REACH) Sikkim, SREDA, SMIT, NEILIT, and other GSDP master trainers.
A Comprehensive, Hands-on Curriculum
The course will comprehensively cover the step-by-step methodology and design of on-grid, off-grid, and hybrid solar PV systems for household and industrial use, including site assessment, sizing, installation, testing, commissioning, operation, and maintenance. The curriculum is structured across 120 hours of theoretical classes, 180 hours of practical training, 60 hours of employability skills, and 150 hours of on-the-job training, giving the 20 educated unemployed youths enrolled from different parts of the State a strong mix of classroom learning and field exposure.
Dignitaries and Inaugural Address
The inaugural session was attended by Conservator of Forest (Environment & Soil Conservation) Suraj K Thatal, IFS, Additional Director (EIACP) Kusum Gurung, officers from Sikkim EIACP, along with experts from REACH Sikkim.
In his inaugural address, Suraj K Thatal, IFS, extended a warm welcome to all the participants and encouraged them to take full advantage of livelihood opportunities through green skilling, while also promoting the branding of Sikkim as the Green State of India. He mentioned that the Green Skill Development Programme has been implemented in the State of Sikkim since 2019-20 under the aegis of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, and aims to develop a skilled workforce in renewable energy sectors such as Solar PV systems, a booming green job sector.
He noted that, in line with the Skill India Mission envisaged by the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, utilizing the vast network and expertise of EIACP Centres across the country, has taken up an initiative for skill development in the environment and forest sector to enable India's youth to secure gainful employment and/or self-employment. He further affirmed that the Green Skill Development Programme also contemplates the vision of Sunawlo, Samridhh Ani Samarth Sikkim, as envisaged by the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Sikkim, and added that the Forest and Environment Department has been making continuous efforts to provide livelihood opportunities to interested local youths in the field of environment since 2019, successfully enrolling 565 candidates so far.
Success Stories, Training Kits, and Orientation
During the inaugural session, short videos on success stories from previous batches were screened, offering the new cohort a glimpse of the livelihood outcomes achieved by earlier participants of the programme. Training kits and tools were distributed to the trainees, followed by an orientation session conducted by the Masters and Subject Experts to familiarize them with the course structure and expectations ahead.
With the course set to run till the end of October 2026, the 20 candidates are expected to emerge with an NCVET-approved certification and hands-on expertise in solar PV systems, positioning them for livelihood opportunities in Sikkim's growing green energy sector.