Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship reports growth in training institutes and seating capacity in Year-End Review 2023 – Education News

On Tuesday, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship released its  Year-End Review for 2023, highlighting the initiatives and activities undertaken throughout the year. 

The ministry claims that an increase in the number of institutes has been observed, with 4,621 new establishments added since 2014, bringing the total to 14,953 by 2022—a  growth of 47.77%. Additionally, over 25 lakh seats have been made available for the 2021-2023 sessions. The government claims a 25% increase in total seating capacity.

Furthermore, the ministry reports the creation of 17,175 trainer seats to date, marking a growth of 49.8%. A 223 courses have been introduced, including 150 CTS, 55 CITS, 14 STT, and 4 Advanced Diploma courses. The introduction of National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) in 2015, with 33 NSTIs currently in operation (19 exclusively for women), that aims to skill development in the country. 

The ministry has also emphasised its flexibility through the Flexi MoU Scheme, signing 13 MoUs under the revised guidelines by November 30, 2022. Notable collaborations include an MoU between the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and the Directorate General of Training (DGT) to strengthen linkages between school education and vocational education/skilling. Another MoU was inked between DGT and NIESBUD for a five-day online Training of Trainers Programme on “Employability, Entrepreneurship, and Life Skills” for instructors of ITIs.

The report further underlined that in the area of vocational training, 152 NSQF-compliant trades under the Craftsmen Training Scheme aim to provide a skilled workforce to industries. Notably, 21 NSTIs have been designated as NIESBUD centres for entrepreneurship courses, and 33 NSTIs (along with 2 extension centres) are now NIOS and IGNOU centres for certifications in higher education and degree courses.

The ministry claims that it is focusing on New Age Courses, with an emphasis on enhancing women’s participation by approving fee relaxation for tuition and exams for women candidates under CITS/CTS for the session 2023-24. The PMKVY Skill Hub Initiative, particularly the introduction of drone-related courses in ITIs, reflects an approach to upskilling and reskilling.

Under the Skill India Mission, it claims that the flagship Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) was launched in 2015, aiming to provide short-term skilling opportunities for Indian youth. The Ministry further claims that as of December 13, 2023, close to 1.40 crore candidates have been trained under PMKVY. The launch of PMKVY 4.0 in the Union Budget 2023-24 aims to upskill youths, particularly in Industry 4.0, AI, robotics, mechatronics, IoT and drones.

The PM Vishwakarma Yojana, dedicated to uplifting artisans, was introduced to enhance their skills and market access. The scheme recognises 18 trades and offers benefits like recognition, toolkit incentives, and credit support to artisans.

Skill India Digital, a new digital platform, integrates various initiatives and provides a centralized enrollment platform for skills and jobs. It introduces a Digital Skill Card, convergence of government schemes, and a marketplace for skills services.

The ministry has approved 146 future skills qualifications to date, focusing on Industry 4.0 areas such as Precision Agriculture, Predictive Maintenance, Simulation Technologies, Data Analysis, and Telemedicine.

Under the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), fee-based training across 40 sectors has been initiated, with 32,700+ centres established since 2014. The NSDC Skill Loan initiative and disbursal of funds for skill development infrastructure showcase ongoing efforts to support skill training.

The Apprenticeship Training programme, with around 7.09 lakh apprentices engaged, is seen as a sustainable format for skill development. The Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) under NAPS has streamlined stipend disbursement.

Entrepreneurship initiatives include the establishment of NIESBUD extension centres, partnerships with Meta for digital marketing skills, and the introduction of online e-mentoring platform “UdyamDisha.”

The SANKALP programme, launched in January 2018, focuses on institutional strengthening, improved program quality and enhanced access to skill training for females and disadvantaged groups. Notably, 748 District Skill Committees have been instituted, contributing to the decentralisation of skill development planning, as mentioned by the ministry. 

Several other projects, such as Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship, AVSAR and Skill Certification for Retiring Soldiers, are aiming to skill development in diverse sectors. Also, the India Institute of Skills in Kanpur has formed key partnerships to empower local youth for the aerospace and defence sector, as per the Year-ender Review 2023.