Government’s Skill India Mission Empowers Youth with Industry-Relevant Skills

New Delhi:  In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, the Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar, highlighted the significant strides made by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) under the Government of India’s Skill India Mission (SIM). The mission aims to provide skill, re-skill, and up-skill training to the youth across the nation, making them future-ready with industry-relevant skills.

Under the various schemes of SIM, such as Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Jan Sikhshan Sansthan (JSS), National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), and Craftsman Training Scheme (CTS) through Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), the MSDE has established an extensive network of skill development centers, colleges, and institutes.

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), launched in 2015, has been a key driver in delivering skills to the youth through Short Term Training (STT) and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). The success of PMKVY 1.0, with over 19 lakh candidates trained, led to its relaunch in October 2016, with the aim of training one crore youth by 2020. Under PMKVY 2.0 (2016-2020), 1.10 crore candidates were trained. Learning from these schemes culminated in the launch of PMKVY 3.0 in January 2021, training 8.00 lakh youth across the country. Special programs under PMKVY 3.0, including the Customised Crash Course Programme for COVID Warriors (CCCP for CW) and Skill Hub Initiative (SHI), further diversified the training landscape.

PMKVY 4.0 is currently in implementation across the country from the financial year 2022-2023.

Under PMKVY, placement opportunities have been created for Short Term Training (STT) certified candidates, with the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process certifying pre-existing skills. Over the last five years (2018-19 to 2022-23), in the state of Goa alone, 481 out of 2702 trained candidates under STT have reported successful placements.

The Skill India Mission stands as a testament to the government’s commitment to empowering the youth of the nation, ensuring they possess the skills necessary for success in the ever-evolving job market.