New Delhi: Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), today celebrated the achievements of 270 candidates certified under PMKVY 4.0 and various CSR projects under Skill India. This marked the 3rd convocation ceremony organized by the Beauty and Wellness Sector Skill Council (B&WSSC), which has trained over 1.3 million candidates to date. The event, held at the Indian Habitat Centre in New Delhi, was attended by prominent dignitaries, including Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, MSDE; Ved Mani Tiwari, officiating CEO of NSDC and MD of NSDC International; Dr. Blossom Kochhar, Chairperson of B&WSSC; and Monica Bahl, CEO of B&WSSC.
In his address, Jayant Chaudhary highlighted the global beauty and wellness sector as a burgeoning industry in which India has notably outpaced global growth. He praised the B&WSSC for its achievements over the past nine years, including the creation of 106 job roles with a strong focus on women empowerment and entrepreneurship. He congratulated the graduates for their resilience and determination, particularly noting the inspiring stories of acid attack survivors who have transformed into leaders within the industry.
“The sector’s exponential growth is a testament to India’s demographic dividend, set to provide opportunities for close to 3 crore people by 2030 and contribute to a Rs. 5 lakh-crore industry with significant prospects across the Asia-Pacific region,” said Chaudhary. He emphasized that as India moves towards the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047, the energy and vigor of its skilled workforce will drive the sector’s success.
The ceremony underscored inclusivity and diversity, with certifications awarded to members of the LGBTQIA+ community and acid attack survivors. The Minister interacted with the graduates, lauding their resilience and commitment to pursuing successful careers in the beauty and wellness industry. He also launched B&WSSC’s Coffee Table Book, “Lakshaya – Transformative Tales of Empowerment.”
Aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of making India the Skill Capital of the World, B&WSSC offers various NSQF-aligned skill courses under the Skill India Mission. These courses provide livelihood opportunities and enable entrepreneurship, particularly for marginalized groups including widows, prison inmates, school dropouts, acid attack survivors, and transgenders.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), B&WSSC has trained 4.89 lakh individuals, certifying 1.34 lakh under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and 2.54 lakh under Short-Term Training (STT) and Special Projects (SPL), with a 49% placement rate. The top job roles under RPL include Yoga Instructor, Yoga Trainer, and Assistant Beauty Therapist, while STT and SPL focus on roles such as Assistant Beauty Therapist, Pedicurist & Manicurist, and Beauty Therapist.
The industry is noted for its inclusivity and empowerment, with women constituting about 66% of the workforce—a figure expected to rise to 70% by 2030. The sector is becoming more gender-neutral, offering equal opportunities for all, supported by government and private sector initiatives promoting skill development across the country.
