New Delhi [India], June 6 (ANI): The Ministry of Skill Development and Entpreneurship (MSDE) has laid the foundation for a secure and skilled future for India through concentrated and unwavering efforts over the past 3 years. In a press conference Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan, shared the milestones achieved under Skill India, towards creating a 'job-ready' workforce to fuel India's economic growth engine. The event was also graced by Minister of State, MSDE, Anantkumar Hegde.

Sharing his views on the achievements made under the 'Skill India' initiative, Pradhan said, "Following our Prime Minister's vision of Sabka Saath and Sabka Vikas, today the Indian story of inclusive growth is where the marginalised are getting opportunities to match steps with the privileged. Our focus in the coming days will also be on adapting to changing times and technology and improvise on the quality of our trainings to ensure that our youth is trained on market relevant skills."

"In the last 2 years, we have operationalized 450 + Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras (PMKK) which are state-of-the-art infrastructure for skill training in the country. By the end of 2018, country's 700 districts will have a PMKK each, with the help of industry and our training partner ecosystem. We are also looking at creating progression pathways for the youth who are in our skill ecosystem by ensuring that they not only skilled; but are hand-held and are also then further linked to entrepreneurship opportunities through Government of India's MUDRA Yojana. Over the next one quarter (July, August, Sept) we will aim to link one lakh skilled students to entrepreneurship," he added.

Short Term Training and Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)

For improving employment opportunities, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship launched its flagship scheme Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) in 2015, under which close to 50 lakh candidates (19 lakhs under PMKVY 1 + 27.5 Lakhs under PMKVY 2016-2020 so far) have been trained across the country. More than Rs. 3000 crores have been allocated to states under PMVKY funds with a total training target of more than 20 lakhs between the period of 2016-2018.

Strengthening the ITI ecosystem

Since the inception of MSDE, there has been a 32% increase in ITI count and 54% increase in seating capacity since 2014. Skill India has further strengthened the ITIs by bringing in reforms in affiliation and examination norms, including decentralising the grading of ITIs to increase competition. MoUs have also been signed with IBM and NASSCOM to introduce new-age courses in preparation for Industry 4.0.

Intra-Ministerial Co-operation for a skilled India

MSDE has aligned with 18 out of 20 Line Ministries running individual skill development & entrepreneurship initiatives. It aims to create opportunities of employment by partnering national mission and projects like Ministry of Power's Saubhagya Scheme, which is aimed at scaling rural electrification. MSDE will support the project by creating a workforce of 55,000 skilled technicians. Similarly, under 'Urja Ganga Gas Pipeline Project' of MoPNG, over 40,000 youth will be trained over the next 10 years to support the growing petroleum and natural gas sector.

Promoting Apprenticeship Opportunities

MSDE has also increased the scope of apprenticeship beyond manufacturing, by making it available in short-term training and service-based trades, under its National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS). More than 3.95 lakh apprentices have been trained under NAPS and more than 48000 companies have registered themselves under the scheme. The Technical Intern Training Program, an initiative with Japan, is a testimony to the success of our apprenticeship programmes. Under the TITP, the first batch of 15 interns from rural Tamil Nadu are currently undergoing training in Japan. This number is expected to increase significantly by 2020.

Supporting the marginalised

In the past eight months, MSDE has imparted skills training through short-term special projects, including a training project for commercial sex workers in Delhi, working with Delhi Police to skill juvenile clusters and in supporting Delhi Police's Yuva project, and promoting traditional artisans through Skill cum Common Facility Centre in Odisha to promote local filigree artisans.

Pradhan also unveiled a special commemorative booklet which outlined the achievement and new initiatives under Skill India. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)