Chidambaram to launch national skill certification and monetary reward scheme

Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram will launch the National Skill Certification and Monetary Reward Scheme here today.

Union Minister for Rural Development Jairam Ramesh and Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia will also present on the occasion.

This scheme is likely to benefit about one million young men and women in the next 12 months.

Chidambaram had first announced the scheme in Parliament in his budget speech for this fiscal, and set aside a provision of 1,000 crore rupees towards this.

He said the National Skill Development Corp will set the curriculum and standards for training in different skills and any institution or body may offer training courses. Upon completion the candidate then has to take a test conducted by authorised agencies.

In his Independence Day address yesterday, the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh promised a new scheme soon, targeting some one million beneficiaries, under which trained youth will get some form of financial assistance.