Harsha feels that the Skill India development movement in the country has pinning need for good counsellors, industry connects, right trainers, women empowerment beyond SHGs common we can think of making the young ladies entrepreneurs, fashion artists, celebrity bloggers and they may just surprise us all.

By Harsha

The Government of India introduced the scheme Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas on 15 July 2015 with a lot of aspirations. This dream of skill India isn’t new, it has been progressing since a decade. The Eleventh Five year plan (2007-2012) recognized skill building as an issue which led to the formation of National Skills Development Council (NSDC) in 2009. NSDC a non-government organization was set up in public private partnership mode by then PM Manmohan Singh and S. Ramadorai (Vice Chairman of Tata Consultancy Services Ltd). The program was launched by present President and then Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee.

Challenges in Skill Training Implementation

The step by NDA Government led by PM Modi, has created more awareness but at the same time the loopholes are still left bleeding with band aid solutions. During my recent visit in Mirzapur – Uttar Pradesh to promote skills training at grass root level, I came across people who were certified by training centres and still in lurch of jobs. They showed me certificates and apprenticeship proofs, but still in search of destiny to show way.

Diverse Skill Training Candidates

I did come across highly qualified youths – engineers, lawyers, graduates from central and state boards along the same path. And then, we have these lovely lively women full of dreams to achieve in life some were willing to pursue them in different cities while some were bonded with family hesitant to relocate. Luckily, I did come across people who were willing to change life taking difficult path to relocate, learn and grow. They are placed in the relevant skills training centre supported by the company and would be placed by the same corporate who is training them or availed with opportunities in the job market.

Challenges with Independent Training Centers

The advent of PMKVY, has led to many individual entities coming up independent centres with no corporate connect thus they can’t train as per industry standards and certified students are often left on unknown paths.

Importance of Counselors and Empowerment

There is an urgent need for councillors at the base of the pyramid to make Skill India a successful program. There were women self-help groups (SHGs) in the villages but the young girls have dreams beyond the SHGs. We need to give wings to their dreams and enable them to fly. I believe establishing shadow training institutes in rural areas especially for women and giving them industry connect would create a huge and lifelong impact for them.

Mandatory Industry Connect

An industry connect for any training centre should be made mandatory with track record of placement for verification purposes.

Empowering Women in Skill Development

The Skill India movement has pinning need for good counsellors, industry connects, right trainers, women empowerment beyond SHGs common we can think of making the young ladies entrepreneurs, fashion artists, celebrity bloggers and they may just surprise us all.