Telangana forges EU collaboration to expand legitimate overseas employment routes

Hyderabad: The Telangana government has entered into a partnership with the European Union aimed at developing secure and regulated channels for overseas employment among the state's youth, according to Labour, Employment, Mines and Geology Minister G. Vivek Venkatswamy.

Speaking at a state-level workshop on India–European Union Mobility held at The Park Hotel in Somajiguda, the Minister outlined the government's commitment to facilitating international work opportunities for Telangana's young population. The state has earmarked ₹90 crore in its budget to bolster Telangana Overseas Manpower Company Limited (TOMCOM), the nodal agency handling such placements.

The workshop, organised by the Ministry of External Affairs, the European Union and TOMCOM, forms part of Phase-II of the India–EU Migration and Mobility Project.

Leveraging complementary strengths

Venkatswamy emphasised the natural synergy between India's substantial reservoir of skilled and trainable workers and Europe's significant labour market demands. This alignment, he suggested, creates reciprocal advantages for both regions—with India supplying trained professionals while European nations access a qualified workforce.

The state administration recognised this potential early and initiated targeted initiatives to equip youth for careers on the global stage. TOMCOM has emerged as a pivotal institution in this ecosystem, providing training and counselling to candidates pursuing employment abroad.

The Minister highlighted that numerous candidates trained by TOMCOM have successfully obtained positions overseas. He particularly noted the surge in European demand for professionals with foreign language proficiency, citing German language skills as a particularly sought-after qualification.

Prioritising safe migration channels

Recognising the hazards associated with unauthorised and unvetted migration routes, the government has launched awareness campaigns to steer youth toward legitimate, transparent employment pathways. This effort is complemented by the establishment of Advanced Technology Centres across Telangana, which deliver training aligned with global standards and industry needs.

These centres are designed to respond to evolving requirements in both domestic and international labour markets, with particular focus on European opportunities. Given the accelerating pace of artificial intelligence adoption, Venkatswamy stressed the necessity for continuous skill enhancement and technological competency.

Youth equipped with skills matching future industry needs will be better positioned to secure quality employment internationally, the Minister asserted. The workshop itself served as a platform to familiarise Telangana's young population with educational, skill development and employment prospects available across European nations.

The event was attended by Ministry of External Affairs Under Secretary Adarsh Kumar Mehra, Labour and Employment Task Force Secretary D. Harichandana, Director of Employment and Training Kanthi Wesley, Regional Passport Officer J. Snehaja and Indian Council of World Affairs Joint Secretary Abhijit Chakraborthy.