The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) is a non-profit public limited company established on July 31, 2008, under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956. It was set up by the Ministry of Finance as a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. The Government of India, through the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), owns 49% of NSDC, while the private sector has the remaining 51%. NSDC’s mandate is to provide funds to develop scalable and successful initiatives for vocational training.
Launch of Grameen Udyami Project
NSDC in collaboration with Seva Bharti and Yuva Vikas Society, recently launched the second phase of the Grameen Udyami Project. This project aims to multi-skill Indian youth and impart functional skills to them to earn livelihoods. The initiative targets to train 450 tribal students in Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand. Implementation will occur in six states — Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Gujarat.
Objectives of the Grameen Udyami Project
The Grameen Udyami Project’s primary objectives include boosting the rural or local economy, enhancing employment opportunities and reducing forced migration due to lack of local opportunities. One of its significant goals is also the conservation of natural resources.
Working of the Grameen Udyami Project
The Grameen Udyami Project works in multiple phases. Phase 1 involves mobilizing candidates from rural and tribal areas and providing them with transportation, boarding, and lodging. The recently launched Phase 2 is being implemented by Yuva Vikas Society, through Seva Bharti Kendra in Ranchi, with NSDC’s support. The training will be conducted in several job roles like electrician & solar PV installation technician, plumbing & masonry, two-wheeler repair & maintenance, IT/ITES with e-governance, and farm mechanization.
Other Government Initiatives for Skill Development
Several other initiatives taken by the government for skill development include Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Rozgar Mela, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras (PMKK), Capacity Building Scheme, School Initiatives and Higher Education, India International Skill Centres (IISCs), and Pre-Departure Orientation Training (PDOT).
Way Forward
The contribution of organized sectors to tribal livelihoods is significantly lower due to a lack of skill and education compared to the national average. Hence projects like the Grameen Udyami project are crucial for their improvement and ensuring they can earn a living.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)
The article also mentions a question from the 2017 UPSC Civil Services Examination: ‘Recognition of Prior Learning Scheme’ is sometimes mentioned in the news with reference to?’ This initiative was launched by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) as part of the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) in 2015. The scheme assesses individual’s existing skill set, knowledge, and experience gained through formal, non-formal, or informal learning.
