Jammu, Sep 26 (KNS) : The Jammu and Kashmir Government has launched a pilot overseas recruitment drive to facilitate safe, transparent and regulated employment opportunities for skilled youth in foreign countries, the Labour and Employment Department said on Saturday.

Under the initiative, hundreds of candidates will be able to apply for multiple positions in the food and beverage (F&B) and hospitality sectors in Saudi Arabia.

The department said the pilot drive will be followed by regular overseas recruitment drives in the coming weeks, covering sectors including F&B, quick service restaurants (QSR), hospitality, healthcare, construction and other skilled occupations, with placement opportunities in the Middle East and other regions.

The initiative is part of the broader Mission SKILL framework, which identifies overseas employment as an important avenue for skilled youth and envisages a structured mechanism for international employer engagement, authorised recruitment, candidate screening, documentation, pre-departure assistance and post-placement tracking.

The government has constituted a committee for the pilot recruitment drive under Government Order No.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel45-L&E of 2026, dated August 25, 2026. Waseem Raja, JKAS, Joint Director Employment, has been designated as the nodal officer for the initiative.

According to the department, recruitment will be conducted only through recruitment agencies authorised by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and in accordance with protocols laid down by the MEA's Overseas Employment Division.

The department said the mechanism is aimed at ensuring that candidates seeking jobs abroad migrate through safe, transparent and regulated channels.

The ongoing drive is targeted at candidates possessing relevant skills, qualifications and experience in the F&B and hospitality sectors.

Eligible candidates have been advised to apply through the Google Form circulated through the official social media handles of the Labour and Employment Department and Mission YUVA. Candidates have also been advised to follow these handles for updates on upcoming overseas recruitment opportunities.

Candidates can apply through the recruitment form provided by the department.(KNS)