An Employment Exchange or Model Career Centre that registers jobseekers, runs job fairs and offers free counselling.
Youth unemployment in Kathua stands at 16.8%, behind the typical district. The youth labour force participation rate is 50%, close to the typical district. The Model Career Centre exists to place young jobseekers against this gap.
84% of registered enterprises are in services while 16% are in manufacturing. Only 4% of employment is in small and medium enterprises. 70% of school-age children are enrolled in higher secondary school (classes 9–12).
In Kathua, which ranks 7 of 20 in Jammu and Kashmir for youth opportunity, the overall opportunity score is 53.1 out of 100. It runs ahead of the national picture on self-employed workers at 48.7%. On average daily wage for regular work at ₹702.1 and informal workers with any social-security cover at 0%, it sits close to the national mark.