Govt may add skill development courses in school curricula

The government is mooting proposals to add courses aimed at skill development at a young age in school curricula so that students have a wider scope when they enter the professional space.
"Proposals are being mooted to begin skill development courses from classes as early as 9th standard. It is aimed at generating employment as well as to bring clarity about career choices to students at a very young age," sources said.
Employment generation is government's big thrust area. It is a long-term plan, so the flow of employment generation can actually be seen in about 3-4 years of time, they added.

India has a great potential for skilling people in various fields such as textiles, handicraft and artifacts that have a huge demand abroad, they further said.
"So, by skilling students at a young age, India can tap the potential of such skilled professionals and mitigate the problem of employment generation," they added.
Skill development and labour reforms are among the key focus areas of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government to thrust upon its 'Make in India' campaign.

Last week, government had approved the first integrated national policy for developing skills and promoting entrepreneurship at a large scale with speed and quality.

Also, common norms for Skill Development Schemes are being implemented by the Centre and an institutional framework for the National Skill Development Mission have been approved.
National Policy for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship 2015 acknowledges the need for an effective roadmap for promotion of entrepreneurship as the key to a successful skills strategy.
Earlier this year, three sub-groups were formed under NITI Aayog, of which one has to deliberate recommendations to promote skill development and creation of skilled manpower within states.