Govt may soon approve regulator for vocational training

The Cabinet will soon consider a proposal for setting up a regulator for vocational training on the lines of the AICTE to improve the quality of skilled manpower, according to government officials.

The regulatory agency will also carry out assessment and certification of around 23 lakh students passing out from industrial training institutes (ITIs), and oversee the functioning of skill councils.

Successful ITI graduates will be awarded certificates at par with the ones given to Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) and Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) pass-outs, thereby enabling them to pursue regular courses in other schools and colleges, said a senior official in the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

Top sources in the ministry said the Cabinet note is ready after consultation with several departments and will be placed before the Union Cabinet shortly.

Sector skill councils are industry-led bodies by NSDC which create Occupational Standards and Qualification bodies, develop competency framework, conduct train the trainer programmes, conduct skill gap studies and assess and certify trainees on the curriculum aligned to national occupational standards.