CSCs to roll out 13 skill-based programmes in Sept

People in rural and semi urban areas can soon approach Common Service Centres for training in various employment-oriented skills, as CSC e-Governance Services is all set to roll out various programmes through its centres across the country.
"We will be launching 13 programs on skilling, along with our technical partner, next month. The course content of these programmes will be available through CSC's ICT platform," Dinesh Kumar Tyagi, CEO of CSC e-Governance Services told PTI.
The short duration programmes involve basic level, and, in some cases, advanced level courses in areas such as electrical repair, assistant motor mechanic for two-wheeler and four wheeler, welding, mobile repair and even cybersecurity, among others.

Tyagi said the self-paced digital content will be made available by the technical partner -- a global engineering, automation and technology company -- through the CSCs.
The content will be supplemented through hands-on training with various industry partners, and aspirants will receive certificates after completion of the course and successful assessment.
"Those interested in skilling themselves will be able to avail the course content through the computers at the CSCs, after paying a fee," he said, but declined to divulge the name of the technical partner.

Asked how the CSCs will overcome challenges of low literacy in rural areas given that the programmes will be available on web-based platform, Tyagi said Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs), who manage the CSCs, will not only offer the necessary IT infrastructure and support for the initiative, but also provide active assistance to learners.

"The modules are video and 3D simulation-based with voice-over in both Hindi and English. The VLE will guide and assist people who undertake the programs," he said.
To start with, the skill programmes will be rolled out in 650 districts, he said, adding that the idea is to take them to one CSC in every block.
"This initiative will enable people to get skilled close to their place of residence," Tyagi said, adding for the VLEs, the launch of the skill programme will provide an additional source of income and also enhance the footfalls at the CSCs.
CSCs are ICT enabled centres that provide individual access to Internet and computer devices, in particular, to bridge the digital divide in rural areas. The primary objective of the CSCs, currently numbering 1.70 lakh, is to bring e-governance services within the reach of the citizens.