These trainings are in accordance with the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) which will soon get statuary backing as well. A legislation to this effect is expected in the next session of Parliament.

The Public Private Model has worked well so far and will work well in future as well. There is no domain where work can happen in isolation. The public and the private entities have to come together in their respective role to benefit the overall ecosystem.

So far the private skill training ecosystem which is catalysed through National Skill Development Corporation has skilled 27.80 lakh people and placed around 12 lakh people through its ecosystem in the last one year. Overall, since its inception, NSDC funded partners have trained over 65.46 lakh students, till date.

The same PPP model will soon be seen in the ITIs as well. This is important for their up-gradation. Till now we have ITIs which have either been standalone government or private. The recent budget has announced the vision of having 1500 Multi Skill Training Institutes (MSTIs) in India which will be basically the new generation ITIs set up in PPP mode.

Another big challenge which is also being addressed by the government, is assessment of skills. The formation of the National Skill Certification Board is another big step which will see representation both from government and the industry who will collectively enable a joint framework for quality skill assessment. This will further strengthen the skill ecosystem.

The Board will combine industry-led SSC certification processes and government authorized NCVT certification and will act as a one stop shop for examinations, assessments and awarding national level certificates in compliance with NSQF, for skill development courses in the country.

With increasing focus on “Stand up India” which is one of the areas where the Hon’ble Prime Minister is laying focus, several initiatives under Entrepreneurship have also been scaled up.

The Ministry of Skill Development has recently announced a scheme called “Udhyamita” through which it will educate and equip potential and early age entrepreneurs. It will also be helping them chalk out their path for growth and connect them in enabling networks of ideas, mentors and funding. The objective is to create 3000 start-ups over the next 5 years. Consequently, these start-ups will create approximately 2,60,000 direct and indirect jobs. Its aim is to create a strong pool of approximately 5500 entrepreneurship Educators and 10,000 mentors and also set up 360 social enterprises over 5 years.

The Skills Ministry has also been able to bring about comprehensive reforms in Apprenticeship and Apprentices Act and overall, have been able to make skills aspirational for the youth.

India’s Skills Ministry, through NSDC has entered into several agreements with countries like USA, UK, Australia, France, Germany and Canada with a purpose creating transnational standards in vocational training, training of trainers, setting up of canters of excellence, international mobility through mapping of job roles and development of transnational standards.

These partnerships with these countries are to ensure best practices which will benefit the youth not only in the domestic market but in the global market as well to get employment in the field of their choice.