FUTURE ON SKILL DEVELOPMENT, The Government of India has been working extensively on the Skill India Mission since 2015 and even before that. However, due to various limitations, it can’t be called a complete success yet. The Government has launched a few new schemes or plans to turn the goal into a reality. A clear vision is always necessary to carry out a plan successfully. As A.R. Bernard said:
“If you don’t have a vision for the future, then your future is threatened to be a repeat of the past.”
FUTURE ON SKILL DEVELOPMENT, India’s economy has observantly changed in the past 10-15 years. The biggest rise has been observed in the construction sector and the IT sector. India is among the fastest-growing economies of the world. To sustain the current growth rate, the Government has launched some schemes such as ‘Make in India’ and ‘Vocal for Local’. The Government is also planning ‘Startup India’. Missions like ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, ‘Digital India’ and ‘Smart Cities’ require a vast pool of skilled workers to bring them to full bloom and success.
While growing sectors demand new skills, established sectors that are undergoing transformation also require new skills. India has largely an agriculture-based economy and the sector is undergoing major transformations leading to the requirement of new skills and skilling programs. Hence, there is a growth of Agricultural training institutes.
A few of the objectives and highlights of the most recent Union budget are:
- A proposal to set up National Board for Skill Development Certification in partnership with academia and job-market or industry.
- Setting up 1500 multi-skill training institutes.
- Allocation of above 1700 crore rupees to set up the training institutes.
- Upgrading the PMKVY or the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana.
- A proposal to exempt taxes on the services provided by DDUGKY.
Collaboration with the global workforce is also another great initiative that the Government is planning. India already had collaborations with the USA, UK, and Japan. Forming international relations would ensure a smooth exchange of skilled workforce between nations. The relationship between the private sector and the government sector also needs some strengthening which the Government is working towards.
The most important recent initiative that the Government is planning was introduced in the New Education Policy of 2020 (NEP 2020). That is the introduction of skill subjects in the school curriculum from classes 6-12. The Central Board of Secondary Education has already implemented the plan while the other school boards like State Boards and ICSE haven’t updated their curriculum yet. The introduction of Skill subjects in the school stage is a masterstroke as it would ensure fewer school dropouts due to the incentive of securing a job after passing out from school. Also, training in skill subjects helps remove stereotypes against ‘vocational courses’ in society and teaches students to treat every job with equal respect.
“The success of the young entrepreneur will be the key to India’s transformation in the new millennium.” – Dhirubhai Ambani
Shouma Banerjee
(Volunteer)
