After setting a target of training one million youths in various employable skills in the next five years, Odisha government on Monday initiated steps for establishment of international standard Multi Skill Development Centers (MDC) in the state, official sources said.

"It has been decided that two such Centers, one at Jatani in Khurda and another at Berhampur in Ganjam district will be set up in coming years," a senior official said after attending a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary B K Patnaik here.

Patnaik asked the Employment and Technical Education Department to intensify activities in this direction. "It is also decided that such Centers will be developed in association with German Technological expertise aids," he said.

It was also proposed to upgrade 14 ITIs (industrial training institutes) covered under PPP scheme at Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Takatpur, Baripada, Anandapur, Barbil,Chhatrapur, Umarkote, Malkangiri, Bargarh, Boudh, Bolangir and Khariar Road with technical expertise from German Technical aids.

"The possibility of utilizing their consultancy for developing new Government ITIs and poly-techniques in Gajpati, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Deogarh and Sambalpur district also figured in discussions," he said.

Two German multi Skill Development Centers are now successfully operating in the state of Karnataka- one at Bangalore and other at Gulberga.

Those institutes are imparting training in skills like Automotive Mechatronics, Advanced Wielding, Electronics Design & Manufacturing, Industrial automation, Construction Technology, Tool Room & Training Center, Electrical & Electronics Maintenance, Refrigeration & Air-conditioning and IT.

A team of experts from Odisha have already visited those institutes to have a feed back from them.