5 Best Schemes to Know This World Youth Skills Day

Karnataka Government just nodded in agreement, to the proposal of Karnataka Skill Development Corporation (KSDC), to build Karnataka Skill Connect Portal (KSCP). This portal is said to be a digital platform to bring together academic institutions, various skilling agencies, potential workforce, and potential employers.

The State Chief Minister responded, to the KSDC’s request developing this type of platform, through a video message. He said that a skilled workforce is the only way to make the state and country recognized on a global platform. This can only be achieved by giving proper training to the youth.

Youth in the age group of 15-29 years comprise 27.5 per cent of the India’s population. At present, about 34 per cent of India's Gross National Income (GNI) is contributed by the youth, aged 15-29 years. Still, there is a large amount of youth energy getting wasted due to lack of skills and training. India will gain from its demographic opportunity only if policies and programmes are aligned to this demographic shift. Luckily, the Union Government has an Idea of the power and significance of young population in shaping the future. Therefore, it is taking a number of steps for the skill development in youths of the country. We have mentioned five, Government of India led, schemes that are helping youths to grow.

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, or PMKVY, was launched in 2015 with a core goal of encouraging skill development. Two phases, or say versions, have been launched so far of this scheme.   PMKVY, now PMKVY 2.0, provides student with free short duration skill training and incentivise this by providing monetary rewards to youth for skill certification. The overall idea is to boost both industry and employability of youths. During its pilot phase in 2015-16, 19.85 lakh candidates were trained. Second phase is still on-going.

The scheme is focussed on mobilizing the youths so that they can handle the challenges in the industry and earn their livelihood. Doing this not only infuses the youths will skills, but will increase the productivity too.

Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS)

The Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) was established in 1950 to maintain a consistent supply of skilled workers in several trades for the home industry. This initiative built a broad network of more than 50 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across the country. It was established to increase industrial productivity through systematic training, as well as to eliminate unemployment among educated youth by equipping them with employable skills. It was also thought to be beneficial to create and nurture a technical and industrial mindset in the minds of the younger generation.

With effect from 1956, the day-to-day administration of ITIs, under the Craftsmen Training Scheme was entrusted to the state/union territory authorities. The financial control of the Industrial Training Institutes in the states and union territories was passed to the relevant state governments / union territories on April 1, 1969.

Advanced Vocational Training Scheme (AVTS)

Advanced Vocational Training Scheme (AVTS) was launched in 1977 to upgrade and update the skills of serving industrial workers. Trainees under this scheme are provided with selected skill areas through short-term modular courses of one to six weeks duration. Several other courses according to the specific industrial requirements are also offered. Thes courses are offered through National Skill Training Institutes. As per the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship’s website, over 3.5 lakh industrial workers and technicians got trained since Sept, 2007. Various training facilities are continuously introduced and existing ones are strengthened with the assistance of Union Government and World Bank.

National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS)

The Government of India launched NAPS in August 2016. This initiative's goal is to promote apprenticeship in the country by offering financial incentives, technology, and advocacy support. It also gives apprentices more opportunities to integrate with other schemes. Courses approved by the state/central governments, such as PMKVY, DDU-GKY, and so on, will be coupled with apprenticeship training. These courses will be designated as optional trades, with the relevant practical content for on-the-job training added by the appropriate course approving body.

Two major benifits of the scheme are that Government will bear one fourth of the prescribed stipend (subject to a maximum of Rs. 1500/- per month) per apprentice with the employers. Also, sharing of basic training cost up to a maximum of Rs. 7,500 per apprentice.

Implementing Agencies for NAPS

The Regional Directorates of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (RDESE) under the Directorate General of Training (DGT) are the implementing agencies for NAPS. They must implement the scheme in their respective regions for all "Designated Trades" under the Act for all establishments falling under the jurisdiction of the Central Government. The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and the CEOs of the Sector Skill Councils are the implementing agencies in their sectors for "Optional Trades" under Central Government jurisdiction.

SANKALP

Skill Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion, or SANKALP, is a programme by the Ministry of Skill Development. The goals of this programme are to increase short-term skill training qualitatively and quantitatively by improving institutions, bringing in improved market linkages, and including marginalised sections of society. SANKALP was inaugurated on January 19th, 2018 and will run through March 2023. SANKALP has three primary result areas: I institutional strengthening at the central, state, and district levels; (ii) quality assurance of skill development programmes; and (iii) inclusion of marginalised populations in skill development programmes.