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What is the news?
The minister for Labour and Employment has launched a digital skills programme (DigiSaksham) to enhance the employability of youth by imparting digital skills that are required in an increasingly technology-driven era.
About the DigiSaksham programme
Nearly one crore active job seekers will be able to access training at free of cost training in digital skills including basic skills as well as advanced computing.
Under the DigiSaksham initiative, there will be basically three types of training viz. Digital Skills – Self paced learning, VILT mode training (Virtual Instructor-led) and ILT mode training (Instructor led).
The job seekers can get training in areas like JavaScript, Data Visualisation, Advance Excel, HTML, Programming languages, Introduction to coding, etc. They can equip themselves with the skills required in a digital economy.
The Jobseekers can access the training through National Career Service (NCS) Portal. It is an extension of the Government’s ongoing programs to support the youth from rural and semi-urban areas.
The programme is a joint initiative of Microsoft India and the Ministry of Labour & Employment.
DigiSaksham will be implemented in the field by Aga Khan Rural Support Programme India (AKRSP-I).
The immediate focus of the DigiSaksham programme
The training will be provided to more than 3 lakh youths in the first year. The initiative gives priority to the job-seekers of semi-urban areas belonging to disadvantaged communities, including those who have lost their jobs due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Significance of DigiSaksham programme
The programme will help in bridging India’s digital divide and place the country on the path to inclusive economic recovery. Further, the programme will also prepare India’s talented youth to thrive in a digital future, catering not only to the needs of the domestic economy but also to tap overseas employment opportunities.
About the National Career Service (NCS) Project
It is a Mission Mode Project for the transformation of the National Employment Service to provide a variety of employment-related services like job matching, career counselling, vocational guidance, apprenticeship, internships etc.
The services under NCS are available online through a dedicated NCS Portal. The NCS portals can be accessed directly or from Career Centres (Employment Exchanges), Common Service Centres, post offices, mobile devices, cyber cafes etc. The NCS Portal is now being integrated with other Ministries/ departments like MSDE, MHRD, AICTE, etc.
The NCS Project is implemented by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
Source: This post is based on the article “Shri Bhupender Yadav launches DigiSaksham- a joint initiative of Labour Ministry with Microsoft India to enhance the employability of youth” published in PIB on 30th September 2021.
