The Indian government has recently announced a new initiative called ‘SWADES – Skilled Workers Arrival Database for Employment Support.’ The prime aim of this initiative is to open up a plethora of employment opportunities for those returning to India amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. This program, under the banner of Vande Bharat Mission, is a collaborative effort of three government ministries, namely, the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Ministry of External Affairs. The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) is entrusted with the responsibility of implementing this project.
Vision behind the SWADES Initiative
The primary objective of the SWADES initiative is to create an organized and comprehensive database of skilled workers returning to India. The database will include detailed information about their skills and professional experience. Once compiled, this data will be utilized to provide suitable employment opportunities, catering to the demands of both Indian local and foreign companies operating in India.
The Role of Returning Citizens in SWADES
The returning citizens will need to fill an online SWADES Skills Card. This action will assist the authorities in profiling their abilities and past employment experiences. It helps to lay down a strategic framework for the facilitation of matching employment opportunities to the relevant skill sets of these individuals. The discussion forum will include key stakeholders, including State Governments, Industry Associations, and Employers.
Introducing the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)
The NSDC, a non-profit public limited company, was created under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956, corresponding to Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013. This organization was established by the Ministry of Finance as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The Government of India through the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) holds 49% of the share capital of NSDC. The remaining 51% of the share capital is owned by the private sector.
NSDC’s primary function is promoting skill development, thereby catalyzing the creation of large-scale, high-quality, and profitable vocational institutions.
Expected Impact of SWADES
Given the current state of global economic instability induced by the COVID-19 pandemic, the SWADES initiative comes at an opportune time. By harnessing the skills of returning citizens, this program aims to boost the local economy while providing significant assistance to the Indian workforce which was stranded abroad due to travel restrictions. Well-coordinated implementation and efficient use of the database can turn this initiative into a robust mechanism for job creation and skill utilization in the country.
Source: PIB
