Lok Sabha Question No. 1471 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-09
Subject: Status of Employment of Skilled Workers
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Mani A

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1471

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09 TH  FEBRUARY, 2026

## STATUS OF EMPLOYMENT OF SKILLED WORKERS

## 1471.     SHRI MANI A :

## Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  a  significant  number  of skilled  workers  despite  possessing  talent  and  formal  training remain  unemployed  or  underemployed  and  are  compelled  to migrate to other States or overseas in search of work and if so, the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether districts with high out-migration such as Dharmapuri have disproportionately  high  rates  of  skilled  labour  joblessness  and  if so, the reasons therefor;
- (c) the  reasons  identified  by  the  Government  for  such  persistent unemployment  among  trained  workers  including  gaps  between skill  training  and  industry  demand,  lack  of  local  employment opportunities and weak placement linkages; and
- (d) the corrective steps taken/being taken by the Government to align the skill programmes with local industry needs, incentivising job creation in backward regions, strengthening apprenticeships and placement  support  and  monitoring  outcomes  to  reduce  forced migration of skilled youth?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)

(a)  to  (d):    The  data  on  Employment  and  Unemployment  is  collected through Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) which is conducted by the Ministry  of  Statistics  and  Programme  Implementation  (MoSPI)  since 2017-18. The survey period is July to June every year.

As  per  the  latest  available  Annual  PLFS  Reports,  the  estimated Unemployment Rate (UR) on usual status for age 15 years and above has decreased  from  6.0%  in  2017-18  to  3.2%  in  2023-24.  Further,  the estimated  Worker  Population  Ratio  (WPR),  indicating  employment,  on usual  status  for  age  15  years  and  above  has  increased  from  46.8%  in 2017-18 to 58.2% in 2023-24.

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 under various schemes, viz. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Jan Shikshan 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.  The  SIM  aims  at  enabling youth of  India  to  get  future  ready  and  equipped  with  industry  relevant skills.

Directorate  General  of  Training  (DGT),  under  the  Ministry  of  Skill Development  &  Entrepreneurship  (MSDE),  has  developed  169  NSQFcompliant courses, including 31 new-age/Future Skills courses under the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS), to skill the youth across the country and to meet the industry's demand for skilled manpower. These courses are  delivered  through  a  nationwide  network  of  Industrial  Training Institutes (ITIs) and National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs).

In  addition,  DGT  is  implementing  the  Flexi  MoU  Scheme  and  the Dual  System  of  Training  (DST)  to  provide  trainees  with  an  industrial training environment, strengthen industry linkages, and familiarize them with the latest technologies and industry practices.

MSDE has launched Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) a unified platform that  integrates  skilling,  education,  employment,  and  entrepreneurship ecosystems to  provide  a  life-long  array  of  services.  The  details  of  the trained  candidates  are  available  on  SIDH  portal  for  connecting  with potential employers. Through SIDH, candidates can have access to jobs and  apprenticeship  opportunities.  Further,  Rozgar  Melas  and  Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Melas (PMNAMs) have been organized to facilitate the placements and apprenticeship opportunities to the certified candidates across the country.

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