Lok Sabha Question No. 298 (STARRED), answered on 2024-12-16
Subject: Expansion of Skill Development Programmes in Rural Areas
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: Shri Bidyut Baran Mahato

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO *298

ANSWERED ON 16.12.2024

## EXPANSION OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES IN RURAL AREAS

*298. SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

Will the Minister of SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of steps taken by the Government to expand and enhance the reach of skill development  programmes,  particularly  in  rural  and  underserved  areas  to  ensure  that  the youth are equipped with employable skills;
- (b) the manner in which the Government ensures that the skills imparted through various schemes  such  as  the  Pradhan  Mantri  Kaushal  Vikas  Yojana  (PMKVY)  are  aligned  with current industry requirements and technological advancements; and
- (c) the details of measures being taken by the Government to encourage more industries to participate in apprenticeship programmes along with the manner in which the Government is  facilitating  the  integration  of  vocational  training  into  the  mainstream  education  system to promote long-term career opportunities?

## ANSWER

THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

(SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)

(a) to (c): A statement is laid on the table of the House.

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (A)  TO  (C)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *298 ANSWERED ON 16.12.2024 REGARDING 'EXPANSION OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES IN RURAL AREAS'

(a):   Under  the  Government  of  India's  Skill  India  Mission  (SIM)  ,  the  Ministry  of  Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) delivers skill, re-skill and up-skill training through an extensive network of skill  development  centres  /  institutes  under  various  schemes,  viz. Pradhan  Mantri  Kaushal  Vikas  Yojana  (PMKVY),  Jan  Sikhshan  Sansthan  (JSS),  National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) and Craftsman Training Scheme (CTS) through Industrial  Training  Institutes  (ITIs),  to  all  the  sections  of  the  society  across  the  country including  rural  areas.  The  SIM  aims  at  enabling  youth  of  India  to  get  future  ready  and equipped with industry relevant skills. To expand the reach of skill development programmes, there has been a substantial increase in the number of  training centres during the last ten years, as can be seen in the table below :

|                              | Pre-2014   | 2024-25 *   |
|------------------------------|------------|-------------|
| ITIs (Govt and Pvt)          | 9,776      | 15,012      |
| JSSs (NGOs)                  | 234        | 289         |
| Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) | 20         | 36          |
| PMKVY Centres                | --         | 14,271      |
| NAPS Establishments          | 6,755 **   | 48,769      |

* As on 31.10.2024     ** Figures are for FY 2018-19

Further, the Directorate General of Training (DGT) implemented 'Skill Development in 48 Districts Affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE)' scheme for supporting establishment of 48 ITIs and 'Enhancing Skill Development Infrastructure in North Eastern States' scheme for Upgradation  of   22  existing  ITIs.  Under  PMKVY,  the  Government  has  expanded  skill development  programs  to  rural  and  underserved areas through Skill  Hubs.  Kaushal Mahotsavs and outreach campaigns ensure widespread awareness and enrolment.

Special provisions have also been made for the training of candidates in the Special Areas like  North  Eastern States, Hilly States, Districts affected  by  Left Wing Extremist, etc under the Common Cost Norms for schemes of the Government for skill development.

Accessibility to skill training to the youth including the ones from rural and underserved areas  has  been  substantially  facilitated  through  Skill  India  Digital  Hub  (SIDH),  which  is  a digital  public  infrastructure  to  provide  a  comprehensive  and  accessible  platform  for  skill enhancement, offering industry-relevant skill courses, job opportunities, and entrepreneurship support.

(b): To ensure the skills imparted through various scheme of MSDE are aligned with the current industry  requirements and technological advancements, the following specific steps have been taken:

(i) Since  2020,  National  Council  for  Vocational  Education  and  Training  (NCVET)  has approved  4387  new  qualifications  as  per  the  industry  requirements  and  archived  4419 qualifications which are not relevant.

(ii) 36  Sector  Skill  Councils  (SSCs),  led  by  industry  leaders  in  the  respective  sectors, have been set up by National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) which are mandated to identify  the  skill  development  needs  of  respective  sectors  as  well  as  to  determine  skill competency standards. NSDC, under the Market led program, provides support to training providers that collaborate and align skill courses with industry demand.

(iii) DGT is implementing Flexi MoU Scheme and Dual System of Training (DST) which are  meant  to  provide  training  to ITI students  in industrial environment  as  per  their requirements.

(iv) Government of India has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)/Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) in the field of skill development and vocational education and training with twelve countries to align the skilling efforts as per the global requirements.

(v) Under PMKVY, approx 200 new age/future skills job-roles have been specially aligned with Industry 4.0 requirements in areas like AI/ML, Robotics, Mechatronics, Drone Technology, etc.  for upcoming market demand and industry requirements.

(vi) General  of  Training  (DGT)  under  the  aegis  of  MSDE   has  introduced  29  new  age /future  skills  courses  in  Industrial  Training  Institutes  (ITIs)  and  National  Skill  Training Institutes  (NSTIs)  under  CTS  to  provide  training  in  emerging  areas  such  as  Artificial Intelligence, Mechatronics, Internet of Things, Cybersecurity, Semiconductor, etc.

(vii) DGT has signed MoU with IT Tech companies like IBM, CISCO, Future Skill Rights Network,  Amazon  Web  Services  (AWS)  and  Microsoft  to  ensure  industry  linkages  for  the institutes  at  the  state  and  regional  levels  under  Corporate  Social  Responsibility  (CSR) initiatives.  These  partnerships  facilitate  the  provision  of  technical  and  professional  skills training in modern technologies.

- (viii) Indian Institute of Skills (IIS) established at Ahmedabad and Mumbai, in Public Private Partnership  (PPP)  Mode,  aims  to  cultivate  an  industry-ready  workforce  for  Industry  4.0, equipped with cutting-edge technology and hands-on training.

(ix) National Skill Development Corporation under the aegis of MSDE has partnered with a number of international organizations such as AWS, Microsoft, Intel, Redhat, Pearson VUE, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Cisco Networking Academy for providing digital courses.

- (c): MSDE  is  implementing  National  Apprenticeship  Promotion  Scheme  (NAPS)  for promoting apprenticeship training and increasing the engagement of apprentices by providing financial support for payment of stipend to apprentices. Under NAPS, the following measures have been taken to encourage more industries in the apprenticeship programmes:
- (i) Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Mela (PMNAM) is a monthly event of MSDE, organized  every  month  2nd  Monday  in  1/3rd  districts  of  each  State.  Apprenticeship  mela serves as a platform between candidates and establishments with respect to apprenticeship opportunity.
- (ii) Workshops, seminars, webinars, etc. with the stakeholders to encourage candidates, establishments, industry associations/chambers of commerce, industry clusters with a special focus  on  participation  from  Ministry  of  MSMEs),  academic  institutions,  Skill  India  training partners, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras (PMKKs), ITIs, JSSs, etc.
- (iii) MSDE has requested other central ministries/departments to encourage autonomous institutions/ establishments falling under their purview to start engaging apprentices.

(iv) MSDE has initiated engagement with various Industry Associations and Central Public Sector Units (CPSUs) for apprenticeship promotion.

National  Education  Policy  (NEP)  2020  has  recommended  integration  of  vocational education  into  mainstream  education  in  all  educational  institutions.  For  integration  of vocational education into mainstream education, the following initiatives inter-alai have been taken:

(i) Under  the  vocational  education  component  of  Samagra  Shiksha  scheme,  National Skills  Qualifications  Framework  (NSQF)  compliant  vocational  courses  are  offered  to  the students from class 9th to 12th in eligible schools. At the Secondary level (Class 9 and 10), vocational  modules  are  offered  to  the  students  as  an  additional  subject.  At  the  Senior

Secondary level (Class 11 and 12), vocational courses are offered as a compulsory (elective) subject.

(ii) Employability Skills consisting of communication skills, self-management skills, information  and  communication  technology  skills,  entrepreneurship  skills  and  green  skills have been made mandatory part of the vocational courses.

(iii) National  Curriculum  Framework  for  School  Education,  developed  in  pursuance  of National  Education Policy  2020, has  laid  down the objectives of approaches  to Vocational Education.  One  of  the  objectives  is  that  vocational  capacities,  knowledge,  and  relevant values will be developed for all students, and this will create the possibility of them joining the workforce after school if they choose to.

(iv) PMKVY 4.0 is also being implemented through schools under Skill Hubs initiative, in co-operation  with the  Department  of  School  Education  and  Literacy.  Skill  Hubs  Initiative provides blended learning opportunities, creating pathways for long-term career development.

(v) University  Grants  Commission  (UGC)  has  facilitated  Higher  Education  Institutions (HEIs)  to  offer  skill-based  programmes  as  per  the  National  Skill  Qualification  Framework (NSQF).

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