India is home to 1.2 Billion young people aged between 15-24, these numbers account for close to 16 percent of the global population. That clearly shows that India is a youthful nation. With so much raw youth energy in place what seems to be wrong? Well, despite having the volumes of youth in the country there is a huge skills gap in place. This is not something new and the nation has been struggling with youth unemployment. It’s in the past decade that the country has really started to make conscious efforts towards skills development. Here is the list of skills development initiatives that are really helping the nation grow.
#1. National Employability Enhancement Scheme (NEEM Scheme)
NEEM scheme is a pioneering effort put forward by the GoI. It’s an apprenticeship based model wherein eligible youths can get skilled in the industry of their choice. While they are learning the skills they also get paid a decent stipend. This is really boosting the morale of the youth and every year lacs of trainees are getting benefited from the scheme.
#2 Skills Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood (SANKALP)
Skills Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP) Project
aims to implement the mandate of the National Skill Development Mission (NSDM), which was launched on 15th July by the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, through its core sub-missions. The project will be implemented in mission mode through World Bank support and is aligned with the overall objectives of the NSDM. The main objectives of the project include strengthening institutional mechanisms at both national and state levels, building a pool of quality trainers and assessors, creating convergence among all skill training activities at the state level, establishing robust monitoring and evaluation system for skill training programs, providing access to skill training opportunities to the disadvantaged sections and most importantly supplement the Make in India initiative by catering to the skill requirements in relevant manufacturing sector.
#3 Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) under PMEGP
Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) is a scheme provided to Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) beneficiaries and focusses directly on developing skills needed for entrepreneurship.
It does this through Rural Development and Self Employment Training Institutes (RUDSETI)/(RSETIs) and Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), KVIB training centers as well as another national level Entrepreneurship Development Institutes (EDIs).
This scheme aims to provide orientation and awareness pertaining to various managerial and operational functions like finance, production, marketing, enterprise management, banking formalities, book-keeping, etc. It also includes interaction with successful rural entrepreneurs and banks as well as orientation through field visits. Ten days of EDP training is mandatory for all types of projects.
#4 Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY)
Started by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), this scheme is a part of the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) tasked with the dual objectives of adding diversity to the incomes of rural poor families and cater to the career aspirations of rural youth.
DDU-GKY focusses on rural youth who are between the ages of 15 and 35 and are from poor families. Part of the Skill India campaign, the scheme involves partner organizations that form a part of the skilling ecosystem integrated by DDU-GKY.
Partners are supported through investment, capacity building, strategies for retention, linkages to international placement, and technology support for training purposes.
Since 2012, DDU-GKY has committed an investment of more than Rs 5,600 crore to up skill India’s rural youth.
Conclusion:
India is really growing and the government is doing its part in ensuring that the youth of India gets the best of everything. The skills development schemes are really shaping the future of the Indian economy and youth and that too in a positive manner.
Sources: Your Story & GoI Public Domain
