The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, formerly known as the Department of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, was established in July 2014, and was inaugurated in November 2014 with the objective of spearheading the ‘Skill India’ initiative in a dedicated ‘Mission Mode.’ Its primary aim was to amalgamate ongoing skill training endeavors, augmenting both the magnitude and excellence of skilling endeavors while prioritizing swiftness.
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship oversees the Skill India initiative, comprising:
- National Skill Development Mission
- Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)
- National Policy for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship 2015
- Skill Loan Scheme
Launched to foster convergence across sectors and states in skill training activities, the mission aims to consolidate and coordinate skilling efforts. It also aims to expedite decision-making processes across sectors to achieve large-scale, high-quality skilling.
Mission Statement
“To rapidly scale up skill development efforts in India, by creating an end-to-end, outcome-focused implementation framework, which aligns demands of the employers for a well-trained skilled workforce with aspirations of Indian citizens for sustainable livelihoods.”
National Skill Development Mission Objectives
- Enforcing the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) to offer both long-term and short-term training opportunities, leading to gainful employment and career advancement.
- Utilizing the framework to strike a balance between industry/employer demands and the workforce, ensuring sustainable livelihoods through targeted training.
- Offering re-skilling and up-skilling facilities to unorganized sector workers.
- Ensuring top-notch training standards by leveraging high-quality teaching and benchmarked institutions, aligning with national and international standards to cultivate a highly skilled workforce and global career prospects.
- Providing focused outreach programs and targeted skill development activities to support disadvantaged sections of society.
- Facilitating transitions between vocational training and formal education systems through a credit transfer mechanism.
- Maintaining a national database, the Labour Market Information System (LMIS), to serve as a platform for matching skilled workforce demand and supply nationwide.
- The LMIS will not only provide citizens with crucial information on skill development initiatives across the nation but also serve as a tool for monitoring the performance of existing skill development programs in every Indian state.
Sub-Missions of National Skill Development Mission
- Institutional Training
- Overseas Employment
- Infrastructure
- Sustainable Livelihoods
- Convergence
- Trainers
- Leveraging Public infrastructure
Government Initiatives to Promote Skill Development
- Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY): Seeks to offer free skill training opportunities to Indian youths.
- Skills Strengthening for Industrial Value Enhancement- STRIVE: Primarily focuses on enhancing the performance of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). It is a project supported by the World Bank in collaboration with the Government of India, aiming to improve the relevance and efficiency of skills training provided by ITIs and apprenticeships.
- Skill Saathi Counseling Program: Introduced by MSDE to sensitize youth about various avenues under the Skill India Mission and boost interest in skill development.
- SANKALP: A centrally sponsored scheme in collaboration with the World Bank, concentrating on district-level skill development through convergence and coordination. Detailed information about SANKALP and the STRIVE Scheme, including their aims and objectives, can be found on the provided link.
- Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra (PMKK): These are advanced Model Training Centers designed to establish benchmark institutions showcasing the aspirational value of competency-based skill development training.
- Industrial Training Centres (ITIs): Aims to modernize and expand the existing Long-Term Training ecosystem in India.
- By offering vocational courses and collaborating closely with CBSE to establish “Hubs of Excellence in Skills” for school students, MSDE is set to introduce high-quality, technology-oriented skill programs in schools. Further information on the importance of Vocational Education can be found on the linked page.
FAQs
1. What is the National Skill Development Mission (NSDM)?
- The National Skill Development Mission is a flagship initiative launched by the Government of India to empower the country’s youth with employable skills and to bridge the gap between demand and supply of skilled manpower across various sectors.
2. What are the objectives of NSDM?
- The primary objectives of NSDM include:
- Facilitating skill development opportunities for the youth, especially in rural and underprivileged areas.
- Promoting industry engagement and collaboration to align skill development with market demands.
- Enhancing the quality and relevance of vocational education and training programs.
- Providing livelihood opportunities for disadvantaged groups, including women, differently-abled individuals, and marginalized communities.
3. How does NSDM operate?
- NSDM operates through various schemes and initiatives implemented by government agencies, industry bodies, and training providers. These include the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Skill India Mission, Skill Development Initiative Scheme (SDIS), among others. These schemes offer skill training programs, certification, and job placement assistance.
4. What are the key components of NSDM?
- The key components of NSDM include:
- Skill Development: Offering training programs in diverse sectors to enhance employability.
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): Accrediting skills acquired through informal means to facilitate better job prospects.
- Entrepreneurship Development: Promoting self-employment and entrepreneurship among youth.
- Industry Collaboration: Engaging industries to design curriculum, provide infrastructure, and offer employment opportunities.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Regular assessment of skill development programs to ensure effectiveness and efficiency.
5. What impact has NSDM made so far?
- NSDM has significantly contributed to skill enhancement and economic empowerment in India. It has trained millions of individuals, especially from disadvantaged backgrounds, equipping them with employable skills. Moreover, NSDM’s emphasis on industry collaboration has led to better alignment between skill training and market demands, resulting in increased job placements and entrepreneurship opportunities. Despite challenges, NSDM continues to play a crucial role in shaping India’s workforce and fostering inclusive growth.
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