Govt comes out to with Rs 560-crore plan to boost skills, employment

The Centre on Monday announced a commitment of Rs 560 crore to state governments to promote demand-driven, industry-linked skill development at the ground level.

The announcement was made by union Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Mahendra Nath Pandey at the Annual National Conference of State Ministers in New Delhi.

The event witnessed collaboration with 22 organisations to provide apprenticeship training opportunities to more than 250,000 youths in the country.

"Skill development is a demand-driven subject and thus it is important that we give more power to the states to ensure quality and market relevant outcome.

"It is important that we map and strike a balance between the traditional and new age skills, right at the district level and also target a shift from un-organised to the organised market through our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program," Pandey said.

He said the states should ensure integration of skills right at the school level so that the youth can decide which skills to hone.

At the university level, we should promote apprenticeship training as part of the regular degree courses since on-the-job training is the pre-requisite for any job, Pandey said.

The minister observed that the government, both at the Centre and state levels, should work towards a common standardised assessment system.

Minster of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship R K Singh said states should consistently undertake environmental scan for market relevant skills.

Close to 800,000 youths have been skilled under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) since its launch in 2015.