SKILL DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA

SKILL DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA

India is expected to become the world's youngest country with 64% of it's population in
working age group. But a democratic country particularly depends on the quality of it's
citizens. This quality that we are talking about is deteriorating because of many reasons.
The growth of a nation is directly proportional skilled manpower and India is abundant
still waiting to be upskilled.

But skilling the youth of India is not easy, for the biggest challenge in front of the Indian
youth is in the form of providing employment. One of the major reasons towards the lack
of skill development is our education system. Our education system encourages an
environment where everything is done conceptually and application of the same takes
a backseat. Our system promotes to cram everything rather than applying it in practical
life. The logical development of the brain is not done but only the memory's ability
to cram things is being increased. We live in a society where all that matters are marks
and degrees rather than identifying, nurturing and polishing a person's capabilities.
The youth today is becoming literate but not employment ready.

Also,the youth are encouraged to take only conventional fields like engineering as
their career path rather than the fields i.e. the creative fields in which they may be
skilled at. Everyone is gifted with some specific set of skills for that particular field.
So, they should be encouraged to opt for that particular field. The need of the hour is
to properly guide the youth towards skill development so that they can become assets
for the country's future.Another reason for the lack of skill development is that skill
development and acquisition is more reachable to the cream of the population that
means the urban youth get customized training from the companies once they are
selected so they get their skills polished after college.The rural youth get less access
to these opportunities which makes them less productive.Our government has taken
many initiatives to cater to a wide class of people in helping them to build their skills
and upgrade their knowledge to take our country to greater heights.

Some of them are listed below :

PRADHAN MANTRI KAUSHAL VIKAS YOJANA(PMKVY) :
Individuals with prior learning experience or skills will also be assessed and certified
under recognition of prior learning(RPL). Under this scheme, training and assessment
fees are completely  paid by the government. It is implemented through the National
Skill Development Corporation(NSDC).

SKILL ACQUISITION AND KNOWLEDGE AWARENESS FOR LIVELIHOOD
(SANKALP) : The scheme aims to create convergence among all skill training activities
improve quality of skill development programmes through building a pool of trainers
and accessors and more.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (EDP) UNDER
PMEGP :  This scheme aims to provide orientation and awareness pertaining to various
managerial and operational functions like finance, marketing, etc. It also includes
interaction with successful rural entrepreneurs and banks as well as orientation through
visits.

SKILLS STRENGTHENING FOR INDUSTRIAL VALUE ENHANCEMENT
(STRIVE) : This scheme is a World Bank assisted-Government of India project which
seeks to improve the relevance and efficiency of skills training provided through
Industrial Training Institutes(ITIs) and apprenticeships.

DEEN DAYAL UPADHYAYA GRAMEEN KAUSHALYA YOJANA(DDU-GKY) :
Part of Skill India campaign , the scheme involves partner organisations who form a
part of the skilling ecosystem integrated DDU-GKY. Partners are supported through
investment , capacity building and technology support for training purposes.

STAND UP INDIA : This scheme was a massive launch, since it brought the message
of women entrepreneurship to the fore and encouraged women to become entrepreneurs
from their comfort zones. To encourage their participation,their relevant skill building
responsibilities were taken up by the Stand Up India campaign.

SKILL INDIA :PM Shri Narendra Modi launched a massive campaign to recognize
important skills that need to be imparted to the people in order to help them in their
employment areas or rather to make them employable by uplifting their skills in relevant
areas.

These days we have heard of boot camps where specific skills are targeted to a larger
audience to help them achieve expertise in their chosen fields. Skill loans are also being
funded and thought of as a prospective scheme by the Government to achieve
upgradation of learnt skills at the higher level to promote interest in research and
development.

The youth possess good ideas but to provide them with platform and direction to be
skilled, moulded, trained and applied they require help and assistance. If they are
properly guided and provided with adequate resources and opportunities they can
contribute to the economic growth and help in the vision of "Developed India" !

                                                        Article By KRITEE