Skill Development : news and updates

What is the news?

Prime Minister has launched a “customized crash course programme for Covid-19 frontline workers”.

About the Crash Course Programme for Covid-19 Frontline Workers

• Aim: The programme aims to create skilled non-medical healthcare workers to fill the present and future needs of manpower in the health sector.
  • This will be done by providing fresh skills and upskills to over one lakh Covid warriors across the country.
• Nodal Scheme: The course has been designed under the Central Component of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 3.0.

Key Features of the Scheme

• Firstly, the programme would be available at 111 training centers across 26 states in the country.
• Secondly, the Covid warriors will be trained under six modules. These modules include:
  • Home Care Support
  • Basic Care Support
  • Advanced Care Support
  • Emergency Care Support
  • Sample Collection Support and
  • Medical Equipment Support.
• Lastly, the trained workers will then assist doctors in the treatment of COVID 19 patients.

Source: India Today

Introduction

According to the World Economic Forum’s report The Future of Jobs 2018, more than half of Indian workers will require skill development by 2022. This is to meet the talent demands of the future. Further, the proportion of the working-age population (15-59 years) is expected to be over 64 percent of the population by 2021.

Predictions are, this demographic advantage will last only by 2040. India, therefore, has a very narrow time frame to harness the demographic dividend and encourage skill development. With the Covid-19 pandemic, the time frame with India is reduced even further.

The District Skills Committees and various initiatives of the government has improved skill development in India. But to inculcate necessary skills India needs to take massive efforts to address various challenges in skill development.

About District Skill Committees

District Skill Committees (DSCs) function under the guidance of State Skill Development Missions (SSDM). These DSCs play a key role in addressing the skill gap and assessing demand at the district level.

DSC is composed of all the significant district development departmental officers. The DSCs are headed by the District Collector.

More than 700 District Skill Committees (DSC) set up across states over the last decade.

Functions of District Skill Committees

• Planning for skill training according to demand and supply, the socio-economic profile, and availability of skill infrastructure.
• The DSCs will also make resources available for various activities such as identifying trainees, mobilization, counseling, advocacy, etc
• Lastly, they will also monitor and evaluate the courses and perform course corrections to achieve outcomes.

Few Government schemes aim to provide skill development

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana

• It is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) launched in 2015. It is implemented by National Skill Development Corporation(NSDC).
• The objective is to enable a large number of Indian youths to take up industry-relevant skill training that will help them secure a better livelihood.
• Individuals with prior learning experience or skills will also be assessed and certified under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). These certifications will have the grade according to the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF).
• Training and Assessment fees are completely paid by the Government.
• Recently, the government of India has launched the third phase of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY 3.0).

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra: 

These are the state-of-the-art Model Training Centres envisaged to create benchmark institutions. These institutions will demonstrate aspirational value for competency-based skill development training.

SANKALP:

• The scheme focuses on the district-level training ecosystem through convergence and coordination.
• It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme collaborated with the World Bank.
• It aims to implement the mandate of the National Skill Development Mission (NSDM).

STRIVE:

• The main focus of the scheme is to improve the performance of ITIs.
• Skills Strengthening for Industrial Value Enhancement (STRIVE) scheme is a World Bank assisted-Government of India project
• The objective is to improve the relevance and efficiency of skills training provided through Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and apprenticeships.

Other schemes

Apart from that, the government also launched few specific schemes. Such as

• “Samarth Scheme” for Capacity Building in Textile Sector
• USTTAD (Upgrading the Skills & Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development) scheme
• ShramSaathi module for Tribal Migrants

Challenges in skill development

1. Lack of state government participation: State departments not permitting the district officers to undergo training. Further, in most skill development schemes, planning, and monitoring are handled by the Centre. The state governments and districts have virtually no role. This makes the entire skill development initiatives as a centralised one.
2. Traditionally, skills in India, have been and continue to be, caste-specific. These skills are non-remunerative and not upmarket. For example, scavengers or ‘Safai karmacharis’. Changing these skills as monetarily rewarding, skills with entrepreneurial ability and career opportunities are challenging.
3. Absence of micro-level study on skill development: Delineated geographical and administrative units and the skills pertaining to that locality are not considered for skill training. Instead, the skill training initiatives heavily focused on the training of persons on machinaries.
4. Not recognising the backward and forward linkages in skill training. So, far Indian skill training initiatives have neglected the linkages in skill training.
   • For example, skill training in the tourism sector at present only involves skill training in aspects of tourism in a particular district alone. They do not consider the border picture and provide training on national and state tourism maps/destinations/policies.
5. The skill training does not emphasise the findings between the opportunities and trainees’ attitudes and aspirations. Without the interest, without identifying an individual’s potential the skill training is done in India. So, at the end of the skill training, the trained persons might not get adequate employment opportunities. Further, over a period of time, he/she might forget the training he/she had.

Suggestions to improve skill development

1. Capacity building of DSC is essential. Further, to ensure true decentralisation the DSCs has to ensure optimum resource utilisation and the inclusion of all marginalised sections of society.
2. The skill development of DSC have to focus on,
   • Creating and managing knowledge
   • Customising and localising content
   • Disseminating knowledge through training
   • Providing opportunities for guided practice
   • Lastly, Evaluation with actionable feedback.
3. Leveraging skill training to ensure socio-economic development: For example, mechanisation of the work for manual scavengers, rag-pickers will provide monetary benefits and result in social change. Further, it will also provide entrepreneurial ability and career opportunities to the caste-based skills also.
4. The increased role of states: The state government not only have to send officials for skill enhancement but also has to provide incentives to the trained officers. For example, the state government can provide choice for their next postings, extending them in their deputation posts, sponsoring them for a higher training course, etc.
5. District skill planning has to understand the socio-economic profile of the district population. To understand this, the government have to perform the micro-level study. The study should also take account of individuals attitudes and aspiration.
6. The government also has to differentiate between the training that gives livelihoods to people at the local level and the training that grow beyond the local at state, national or
   international levels. The government also has to encourage people to move ahead and get training beyond the local level.
7. Interact with industry representatives: The government has to interact with Local industry, trade chambers, sector skill councils, and experts to identify relevant industrial skills. Similarly, the government also has to provide courses in self-development and interpersonal communication and other softer aspects.
8. Recognising the backward and forward linkages: The government has to provide holistic training. For example, skill training in the tourism sector should also include training on national and state tourism maps/destinations/policies.

Source: Yojana – May 2021

What is the news?

Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship(MSDE) rolls out Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship(MGNF) Programme under the SANKALP scheme. It will strengthen district skill administration and the District Skill Committees(DSCs).

Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship(MGNF) Program:

• It is a two-year academic program. It aims to address the challenge of the non-availability of personnel for the implementation of various skill development programs at national, state, and district levels.
• MGN fellows will be trained to understand the overall skill ecosystem. They will be attached to DSCs and help them manage the skill development planning at the district level. It will provide them with practical experience on the ground.
• Implementation: IIM Bangalore’s Centre of Public Policy(CPP) will implement it.
• Eligibility: Graduates from a recognized university and citizens of India in the age group of 21-30 years are eligible to apply for it.

Skills Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood (SANKALP) Scheme:

• Type: Centrally Sponsored Scheme
• Duration: The scheme was launched in 2018 and has a tenure till March 2023.
• Ministry: It is an outcome-oriented scheme of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship(MSDE). The World Bank is providing loan assistance to this program.
• Aim: It will improve short-term skill training qualitatively and quantitatively through strengthening institutions. Moreover, it will bring in better market connectivity and inclusion of marginalized sections of the society.
• The scheme aims to implement the mandate of the National Skill Development Mission (NSDM).
• The outcomes in the scheme are measured through the Results Framework. This framework is agreed upon between MSDE and the World Bank.

Result Framework: Under the scheme, four key result areas have been identified viz:

• Institutional Strengthening (at National, State & District level);
• Quality Assurance of skill development programs;
• Inclusion of marginalized population in skill development; and
• Expanding Skills through Public-Private Partnerships(PPPs).

Source: The Hindu

Skill Development : news and updates

What is the News?

The Ministry of Textiles has informed Rajya Sabha about the Samarth Scheme.

Samarth Scheme:

• It was launched by the Ministry of Textiles.
• Aim: It will address the skill gap in the textile sector. It will supplement the efforts of the textile industry in providing gainful and sustainable employment to the youth.
• Objectives: Following are the objectives of Samarth Scheme:
  • It will provide a program which demand-driven, placement oriented and National Skills Qualifications Framework(NSQF) compliant.
  • It will supplement the efforts of the industry in creating jobs in the organized textile and related sectors, covering the entire value chain of textile. It excludes Spinning and Weaving.
  • Likewise, it will provide for skilling and skill up-gradation in the traditional sectors of handlooms, handicrafts, sericulture, and jute.
• Target: The Scheme targets to train 10 lakh persons (9 lakhs in organised & 1 lakh in traditional sector).
• Implementing agencies: The programmes would be implemented through the Textile industry, government institutions and Reputed training institutions/ NGOs/ Societies active in the textile sector.
• Monitoring and Management Information System(MIS): It is a centralized web-based Information System that has been put in place for monitoring and implementation of the scheme.

Source: PIB

What is the news?

Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC) celebrated its 34th Foundation Day. The theme of the Foundation day was: “Technology, Innovation and Economy for Atma Nirbhar Bharat”.

About TIFAC:

• It is an autonomous technology think tank under the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology. It was set up in 1988.
• Mandate: TIFAC identifies the technological priorities of the future like cyber-physical systems, quantum computing, green chemistry and water.
• TIFAC launched 2 initiatives: 1) SAKSHAM Portal, 2)  Seaweed Mission

SAKSHAM Portal:

• Need of the Portal: The COVID-19 pandemic has compelled the labour force to return to their native lands due to loss of jobs.
• Aim: It is a dynamic job portal for mapping the skills of Shramiks (labour) vis-à-vis requirements of the MSMEs across the country.
• Features of the Portal:
  • This portal will facilitate placement of 10 lakh blue-collar jobs by directly connecting Shramiks with MSMEs.
  • It will help eliminate middlemen/ labour contractors. It will also help in the identification of skill proficiency level and development of Skill Cards for Shramik.
  • Likewise, it will also reduce the hardship of Shramiks(labour) in finding jobs in nearby MSMEs.

Seaweed Mission:

Click Here to Read about Seaweed

• Why was this mission launched? Out of the global seaweed production, China produces 57%, Indonesia 28%. Whereas, India is having a mere share of 0.01-0.02%.
• Purpose: Under the mission, TIFAC will demonstrate a model for commercial farming of seaweeds, and it’s processing for value addition. It will boost the national economy.
• Benefits of Cultivating Seaweed:
  • It is estimated that if seaweed cultivation is done in 10 million hectares or 5% of the EEZ area of India, it can provide employment to 50 million people.
  • Additional benefits of Seaweed cultivation;
    • Improves national GDP;
    • improves ocean productivity;
    • Reduce algal blooms and sequester millions of tons of CO2;
    • Create a healthier ocean and can also use to produce bioethanol.

Source: PIB

Why in News?

Union Minister of Tribal Affairs has virtually launched the Shram Shakti Portal for data related to Tribal migrants. The Minister also launched the tribal training module- ShramSaathi.

Shram Shakti portal:

The portal has been launched to tackle the challenge of lack of real-time data on the migrants with the Governments.

Facts:

• ShramShakti Portal: It is a National Migration Support Portal that aims to collect data related to tribal migrant workers and link them with the existing welfare schemes.
• The various data that will be recorded via the portal include demographic profile, livelihood options, skill mapping, and migration pattern.
• Significance:
  • The portal would be able to successfully address the data gap and empower tribal migrant workers, who generally migrate in search of employment and income generation.
  • It would also effectively help in the smooth formulation of state and national level programs for migrant workers.

ShramSaathi – Training module

It is a tribal training module. It aims to ensure the process of livelihood migration is safe and productive for tribal migrants. Once training is done the tribal migrant worker can demand and access services, rights and entitlements etc.

Reason for the launch of module:

• • Tribal migrants have low awareness about their rights and entitlements
  • They also do not know the ways to access services and social security in source and destination areas

Source: TOI, PIB

News: The government of India has launched the third phase of its flagship skilling scheme Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY 3.0).

Facts:

• • Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana(PMKVY): It is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) launched in 2015 and implemented by National Skill Development Corporation(NSDC).
  • Objective: To enable a large number of Indian youth to take up industry-relevant skill training that will help them in securing a better livelihood.
  • Under the scheme, Individuals with prior learning experience or skills will also be assessed and certified under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
  • Training and Assessment fees are completely paid by the Government

PMKVY 2.0 (2016-20)

• PMKVY 2.0: After the successful implementation of pilot PMKVY (2015-16), PMKVY 2.0 was launched by scaling up both in terms of Sector and Geography and by greater alignment with other missions of the government of India like Make in India, Digital India, Swachh Bharat.
• Objectives:
  • Enable and mobilize a large number of youths to take up industry designed quality skill training, become employable and earn their livelihood.
  • Increase productivity of the existing workforce, and align skill training with the actual needs of the country.
  • Encourage standardisation of the Certification process and put in place the foundation for creating a registry of skills.
  • To benefit 10 million youth over a period of four years (2016- 2020).

PMKVY 3.0

• Objective: It envisages to train around 8 lakh candidates over the scheme period of 2020-2021.
• Key Features:
  • This phase is designed towards making skill development more demand-driven and decentralised in its approach with a focus on digital technology, Industry 4.0 skills and COVID-related skills.
  • District Skill Committees(DSCs) under the guidance of State Skill Development Missions(SSDM) shall play a key role in addressing the skill gap and assessing demand at the district level.
  • It will encourage healthy competition between states. This is achieved by increasing the allocation to those states that perform better.
  • It will also be a propagator of vocational education at an early level for youth to capitalize on industry-linked opportunities.

Article Source

Facts:

• • USTTAD Scheme: The scheme was launched in 2015 by the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
  • Aim: To upgrade the capacity building and traditional skills of master craftsmen and artisans.
  • Objectives:
    • Capacity building and upgrading of the traditional skills of master craftsmen and artisans;
    • Documentation of identified traditional arts/crafts of minorities;
    • Set standards of traditional skills;
    • Training of minority youths in various identified traditional arts/crafts through master craftsmen;
    • Develop national and international market linkages; and
    • Preservation of languishing Arts/Crafts.
• Knowledge Partners: To support Ministry and the Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) with technical inputs for capacity building of master craftsmen/artisan and upgrading their traditional skills, following knowledge partners will be involved by the Ministry:
  • National Institute of Fashion Technology.
  • Sectoral Export Promotion Councils.
  • Other expert agencies.
• Components of the scheme: The scheme has following programmes:
  • Up-gradation of Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts through Institutions.
  • USTAD Apprenticeship stipend for Research and Development.
  • Support to Craft museum for curating traditional arts/ crafts.
  • Support to minority craftsmen/artisans through Hunar Haat and Shilp Utsav for marketing their products through exhibitions throughout the country and abroad.
  • Recognition of talented Master Craftsmen & Artisans.

Article Source

Source: PIB

News: Directorate General of Training(DGT) has joined hands with Microsoft and NASSCOM Foundation to provide digital content for ITI students and also future-ready employability skilling program via the Bharatskills portal.

Facts:

• Bharatskills Portal: It is an online training platform launched by the Directorate General of Training(DGT) in 2019.
• Purpose: It is a Central Repository for skills providing easy access for the trainees and trainers of the ITI ecosystem to access updated curriculums and course content of all courses.
• The platform also presents a unique access to a centralized, scalable and a thriving support ecosystem through its industrial partners for the students and teachers who can now learn the newer Industrial Revolution(IR) 4.0 skills to meet the demands of the industry