Skill India Mission: Government’s Vision For Employment & Skill Development

The Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, introduced and unveiled a mission called the Skill India Mission. The primary aim of the mission is to organise various training and skill development programs for the people of India so that they can become independent by monetising those skills after learning.

Read the article to learn more about Skill India Mission, ranging from its meaning and objectives to components and impact.

What Is The Skill India Mission?

In the year 2015, the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, launched the Skill India Mission primarily to make people Aatmanirbhar, which translates to self-independent. The main aim of the government mission is to create several detailed skill development programs and training sessions for the people of India so that they can learn various skills and use them to improve their lives.

Objectives

The government mission comprises numerous objectives that keep it grounded to its true cause, such as:

• The mission emphasises employment generation by training the people of India in various skills.

• Skill India promotes on-the-job training and internships so that people can experience and learn from the practical world.

• The government's mission also encourages individuals to start their start-ups and become entrepreneurs, and work on solving real-life urgent problems through novel methods.

What Are The Government Initiatives Under The Skill India Mission?

There are some government initiatives that come under Skill India. All the skilling programs in India are laid down below for one’s better understanding.

1. PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) is a government scheme introduced to provide free skill training to young people, helping them improve their job opportunities. The govt scheme offers training in various fields, such as construction, retail, and healthcare, to equip individuals with the necessary skills for employment. This scheme is for those who fall between the age range of 15 to 45 years, and they can apply for the same through its official website.

2. National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme

The National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) was launched to provide incentives and support to industries and companies for offering apprenticeship training to the youth. The government scheme aims to bridge the demand-supply gap for skilled manpower and promote the role of apprenticeship in creating a competent workforce. Applicants can apply for the scheme through its official portal.

3. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana

One of the skilling programs in India is the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana is a scheme launched under the Ministry of Rural Development. The main aim of the scheme is to instil various skills in the rural youth of India between the ages of 15 to 35 years, especially from the marginalised and low socio-economic communities. Individuals can apply for the scheme through its official portal.

4. Rozgar Mela

Rozgar Mela is organised by the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, which is nothing but a job fair wherein both employers and employees come together to offer and apply for various job opportunities. These fairs allow people to explore job opportunities and apply for the ones that match with their respective skill sets.

5. Skill Hubs & Centres of Excellence

Skill Hubs and Centers of Excellence are nothing but places like educational institutions, like schools or colleges, which are responsible for organising several short-term skill training programs for people like students, school dropouts, and others. These centres create, plan, and organise various skill development programs that students can learn and monetise upon later for building their careers.

What Are The Challenges Faced By The Mission?

Some challenges that hinder the progress of the government mission for youth are as follows:

• The mission’s major problem is the untrained professionals who are supposed to teach the skills to people.

• Improper infrastructure, such as a lack of equipment in training centres, is another major challenge in the implementation of the mission.

• Authorities still need to work on carefully designing skill development programs so that the skills can match the requirements of the employers.