PANAJI: In a major push to promote workplace safety and youth empowerment, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant today announced the launch of a Rs 2 crore ‘Skill-on-Wheels’ initiative that will deliver hands-on industrial safety training to youth in Goa’s rural areas. Speaking at the first-ever Goa Occupational Safety & Health Expo & Summit 2025, Sawant also said the government will introduce safety education in schools and colleges to instill awareness from a young age.
The new safety modules will cover industrial safety, fire and electrical hazard prevention, disaster management, emergency preparedness and mental well-being — aiming to skill, reskill and upskill students and workers alike. “These efforts are in line with our vision for Viksit Goa 2037 and Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” Sawant said, encouraging the youth to seize upcoming opportunities in the industrial sector.
The three-day expo, organised by the Goa government and the Inspectorate of Factories and Boilers, marks a first-of-its-kind initiative in the State focused on the health, safety and welfare of workers across all industries. Delegates and exhibitors from Goa, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Haryana are participating in the event.
“It is a concern that industrial and road accidents are on the rise. This expo is a step in the right direction as we work towards safer workplaces, equipped with the knowledge and tools to save lives,” Sawant said, highlighting the importance of first-aid training, practical demonstrations and cross-sector collaboration.
The event saw participation from key industry players and government officials, including Naveen Jaju, CEO of Vedanta Sesa Iron Ore, Sanjit Rodrigues, Secretary for Factories & Boilers, and Anant Pangam, Director of the Inspectorate.
Minister for Factories and Boilers Nilkanth Halarnkar stressed that the initiative goes beyond manufacturing. “This platform will benefit sectors like construction, hospitality, education, healthcare and mining. It’s about learning, correcting, and building together,” he said.
