The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) recently launched the Kaushalacharya Awards during Kaushalacharya Samadar 2019, to acknowledge the contribution of skill trainers and inspire more trainers to become part of the Skill India Mission. The Ministry projects that India will require around 2.5 lakh trainers by 2022 to meet the needs of the skilling ecosystem. To address this, MSDE has rolled out several schemes intended to help Indian youth acquire skills.
Kaushalacharya Awards: Celebrating the Architects of Skill Development
Created to honour the service and dedication of skill trainers in the country, the Kaushalacharya Awards are a recognition of the significant impacts made by these individuals. By empowering the country’s youth with essential skills, they play a pivotal role in shaping India’s future. The awards not only serve to celebrate their achievements but also act as a catalyst to encourage more professionals to take up the mantle of skill training.
The Imperative Need for Skill Trainers in India
According to the MSDE, the demand for skill trainers in India is projected to reach approximately 2.5 lakh by 2022. The need to meet this rising demand is critical for the successful development and implementation of the skilling ecosystem in the country. Given the enormity of this task, it has become increasingly important to motivate, inspire and engage more trainers to participate in this mission.
Skilling Initiatives Launched by MSDE
In order to promote skill development among Indian youth and manage the estimated demand for skill trainers, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has introduced multiple initiatives. These include the Skills Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Scheme (SANKALP), Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), and Pradhan Mantri Yuva Yojana (PM-YUVA).
| Scheme | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Skills Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Scheme (SANKALP) | Focuses on district-level skilling ecosystem through convergence and coordination. |
| Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) | Aims to enable a large number of Indian youth to undertake industry-relevant skill training that will help them secure a better livelihood. |
| Pradhan Mantri Yuva Yojana (PM-YUVA) | Designed to educate, equip potential and early-stage entrepreneurs, and foster cultural shift to support aspiring entrepreneurs. |
The Flagship Scheme: Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)
The Ministry’s flagship scheme, the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), is built with a vision to empower a massive segment of the country’s youth. By facilitating industry-relevant skill training, the PMKVY aims to create a pathway for these individuals to secure a better livelihood. The underlying objective is to instill not just employability but also entrepreneurship among the masses.
Supporting Entrepreneurship: Pradhan Mantri Yuva Yojana (PM-YUVA)
The Pradhan Mantri Yuva Yojana (PM-YUVA) has been launched with the intent to encourage entrepreneurship. It is designed to educate and provide necessary skills to potential and early-stage entrepreneurs. The scheme also strives to bring about a cultural shift in attitudes towards entrepreneurship by providing support to aspirants.
Strengthening District-level Skilling Ecosystem: SANKALP Scheme
The Skills Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Scheme (SANKALP) focuses on enhancing the district-level skilling ecosystem through processes of convergence and coordination. By ensuring a more localized approach to skill development, the SANKALP scheme aims to provide more accessible and relevant skill training opportunities.