CMs' sub-group on skill development to file report in 15 days

NITI Aayog had set up the sub-group of CMs on skill development in March following a decision taken in the first meeting of the Governing Council of the body on Feb 8 this year

The sub-group of chief ministers on skill development will submit its final report to the Prime Minister's Office within 15 days, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said.

"I think it will take 15 days maximum. The committee has also entrusted me with submitting the report on their behalf. NITI Aayog will prepare the final report," Badal, the convener of the panel, told reporters after the meeting.

"This was the last and fifth meeting of the sub-group," said Raman Singh, Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, who also attended the meeting.

Elaborating, Singh said there should be block, district and state level committees for skill development.

It's also suggested that the 50 per cent of a corporate social responsibility fund should be used for skill development and there should be a long-term policy from states and the Centre for 5-10 years for the purpose.

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi highlighted the need for creating infrastructure for skill development and attracting investment, especially in the North-East.

Gogoi also pitched for more funds for the states in the region against the backdrop of its limited revenues and lesser industrialisation.

NITI Aayog had set up the sub-group of chief ministers on skill development in March following a decision taken in the first meeting of the Governing Council of the body on February 8 this year.

The group was set up to suggest measures to strengthen the State Skill Development Missions to boost capacity and improve standards of skilling at the state level.

It was also asked to examine the private sector's role in skill development and suggest ways for improved partnership in curriculum development, delivery mechanism, pedagogy, certification, trainer attachment, apprenticeship training and financing.

The panel was mandated to propose measures to expand outreach of skilling programmes, particularly in demographically advantageous states and recommend measures for dealing with shortage of trainers, instructors and assessors.

It also suggested ways to mobilise panchayats, municipalities and civil society organisations as also the Railways and Armed Forces to participate in these efforts.

It was also entrusted with proposing ways of career guidance and post-training placement tracking and suggesting state-level innovative measures for up-scaling of pilots, sharing best practices, dissemination and replication by other states/UTs.