19/08/2015
Steps taken by the newly created Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (Since 15.08.14 till date)
1. The creation of Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship : Skill development and entrepreneurship efforts across the country have been highly fragmented so far. Recognizing the need and urgency of quickly coordinating the efforts of all concerned stakeholders, to achieve its vision of a 'Skilled India' the Department of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship was created on 31st July, 2014 which was later made into a full fledged Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship on 9th Nov, 2014.
National Skill Development Agency (NSDA), National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), National Skill Development Fund (NSDF) and 33 Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) were brought under the Ministry of Skill Development. The thrust of the Ministry is the co-ordination of all skill development efforts across the country, removal of disconnect between demand and supply of skilled manpower, building of new skills and skill upgradation, and encouraging entrepreneurship.
To create further convergence between the Vocational Training system through ITIs and the new Skill Initiatives of the government, two vertical from Directorate General of Employment and Training (DGET) - DDG (Training) and DDG (Apprenticeship Training) have been transferred to the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship on 16th April, 2015.
2. National Policy for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship 2015 : Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi formally unveiled the National Policy for Skill development and Entrepreneurship 2015 on 15th July, 2015 while launching the Skill India Campaign. The National Policy for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship 2015 is a maiden attempt at providing an integrated policy for comprehensive roadmap for growth of skilling as well as entrepreneurship in the country by addressing the needs of job seekers as well as job creators. It aims to create an ecosystem of empowerment by for Skilling on a large Scale at Speed with high Standards and to promote a culture of innovation based entrepreneurship which can generate wealth and employment so as to ensure Sustainable livelihoods for all citizens in the country.
3. National Skill Development Mission : Prime Minister launched “National Skill Development Mission” on 15th July, 2015. The National Skill Development Mission is an attempt to consolidate skill initiatives across the country, and standardize procedures and outcomes. The National Skill Development Mission will be implemented through a streamlined institutional mechanism driven by Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). The Framework for Implementation of the National Skill Development Mission includes details on the rationale for a Mission, Mission statement, objectives, institutional mechanism, and proposed focus areas under the Mission.
4. Apprenticeship and Training Reforms : Comprehensive reforms have been made in Apprentices Act, 1961 with effect from 22nd December, 2014 to increase the number of apprentices engaged in industry. A new scheme ‘Apprentice ProtsahanYojana’ was launched on 16th October, 2014 to improve participation of MSME sector in engaging Apprentices. Moreover, rates of stipend for trade apprentices and graduate apprentices have been linked to wages of semi skilled worker and notified. Phase I of Apprenticeship Portal was launched on 15th July, 2015 by the Hon’ble Prime Minister to facilitate all apprenticeship related procedures online.
Under the training vertical, NCVT-MIS portal was launched on 6th April, 2015 to make governance citizen friendly, transparent and effective. All ITI trainees are now tracked through the portal. Process of issuing e-certificates has also been started through the portal. Scheme for rating/ grading of ITIs has also been launched to promote excellence in vocational training. Training of Trainers through distance learning technology (e-Kranti in vocational training) was also initiated. As of now, more than 15,000 ITI trainers have been trained. During the months of May, June and July 254 new ITIs have been established. As on date there are 2285 Govt. ITIs and 9821 Private ITIs, summing up to a total of 12106 ITIs across the country.
5. Skill Loan scheme : Prime Minister launched the Skill Loan scheme. Under the scheme loans ranging from Rs 5,000-1.5 lakhs will be made available to 34 lakh youth of India seeking to attend skill development programmes over the next five years.
6. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) : PMKVY is the flagship outcome-based skill training scheme of the new Ministry and has been approved by the Cabinet on 20th March 2015. The program aims at skill certification and reward to enable and mobilize a large number of youth for outcome based skill training and become employable and earn their livelihood. Under the scheme, monetary reward would be provided to trainees who are successfully trained, assessed and certified in skill courses run by affiliated training providers.
On 15th July, 2015, Prime Minister awarded Skill Cards and Skill Certificates to trainees who had recently completed training through the Pilot Phase of Pradhan MantriKaushalVikasYojana, which started in May 2015. Such Skill Cards and Skill Certificates will allow trainees to share their skill identity with employers. Each Skill Card and Skill Certificate features a Quick Response Code (QR Code), which can be read through a QR reader on mobile devices. Trainees can use these to share their skill qualifications with employers in a quick and reliable way during the job search process.
7. Capacity Building of Private Training Providers and Involvement of Industry : In order to enhance private sector participation in the Skilling, NSDC has been working to enhance capacity of private training providers through provision of loan, grant and equity funding.
8. Strengthening Standards & Quality Assurance : The NSQF is a competency-based framework that organizes all qualifications according to a series of levels of knowledge, skills and aptitude. NSQF in India was notified on 27th December 2013. National Occupational Standards (NOS) describe best practices by bringing together performance criteria, knowledge and skills pertaining to a job role. A set of NOSs related to a specific job role is called Qualification Pack (QP). So far 1226 QPs in 28 different trades have been approved.
9. Multi Skill Institute Scheme : An Approach Paper on the proposed Multi Skill Institutes in Public Private Partnership mode (PPP) has been prepared after extensive stakeholder consultations. A detailed list of inputs received were incorporated into the Approach Paper and efforts to develop a model for a Multi Skill University were initiated.
10. National Skill Universities : The Ministry has initiated the process of establishment of National Skills Universities. The Universities are envisioned to provide nationally recognised University degrees and certification for vocational skills, design and conduct assessment procedures, design vocational curriculum customised to providing horizontal academic mobility, offer faculty training courses and conduct research in the skills landscape.
11. State engagement : The Ministry organised a National Consultation Workshop in May 2015 to discuss convergence of skill development efforts with the States facilitating platform for the Ministry and States to align their expectations and coordinate efforts in the skill development and entrepreneurship space. The National Workshop of State Ministers on Skill Development and Entrepreneurship had more than 450 participants from central and state governments including the ministers and principal secretaries, industry, sector skill councils, training providers and other key stakeholders in skill ecosystem. State Ministers from Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Gujarat, Rajasthan, HP, Punjab, Orissa, Goa and Maharashtra made presentations on key initiatives in the state and also gave inputs on enhancing the centre-state partnership for skill development across the country.
12. Strategic partnerships with Sectoral Ministries/Departments : Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has framed the Common Norms for Skill Development Schemes implemented by Government of India. The Union Cabinet also gave its approval for introduction of Common Norms across all skill development schemes being implemented by different Ministries / Departments of Government of India on 2nd July, 2015. The Ministry has so far signed MoUs with 11 Union Ministries for skill development in different sectors.
13. Deepening Global Engagement : The Ministry has entered into agreements with several countries such as UK, USA, Australia, France, Germany, Canada with the purpose of technology transfer in vocational training, training of trainers, setting up of centres of excellence, international mobility through mapping of job roles and development of transnational standards.
14. Fostering Engagement with Corporate Sector : MoUs between National Skill Development Corporation, National Skill Development Fund and several PSUs have been signed for CSR contribution to provide skill training.
15. Consolidation of Skill Gap studies : Sector skill gap studies have been completed for 24 sectors. The objective of these skill gap reports is to understand the sectoral and geographical spread of skill requirements.
16. Udaan : Udaan scheme is targeted at helping the ambitious and progressive youth of Jammu and Kashmir who are seeking global and local opportunities. It aims to make employable 40,000 youth of J&K over a 5 year period in key high growth sectors. The programme is targeted at providing well-paying jobs to the trained manpower.
17. Skill Development Centre made out of recycled containers : To meet the challenge of infrastructure shortage, the concept of Skill Development Centre made out of recycled containers is being popularized.
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