Marking the 155th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekanandaji and celebrating National Youth Day, Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas and Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), recently addressed the Skill Summit 2018 in Ranchi, under Momentum Jharkhand initiative of the State Government. The event saw 25,000 candidates from the State receive their offer letters to join work, with the help of a Rozgar Mela that was organised in the State, from renowned companies in India post completing their course in skill development.
Talking about the progress that has been seen in Jharkhand since its inception, Pradhan said: “Jharkhand accounts for 40 per cent of the mineral resources of India, has rich flora and fauna, has a huge water supply, is popular for its silk textile and handicrafts and large deposits of coal and iron ore support concentration of industry. This gives us a huge opportunity for skill development which will thus help sustain the economy of State. Earlier, the center used to ideate, and States like Jharkhand used to implement. Today, Jharkhand leads the ideation on skill development and we follow them in many ways. Jharkhand has become a role model for other States today and in implementing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a New India.”
The State Government has taken multiple initiatives in enabling the expansion of skill ecosystem in Jharkhand for the benefit of its youth. A financial allocation for Rs 89 crore has been approved to Government of Jharkhand under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), of which, the state component of Rs 6.21 crore has already been released as first tranche towards the scheme implementation.
With a motive to provide world-class skill development training focusing on employability and to create an aspirational value among the youth to take up skills, MSDE has established six Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras (PMKKs) in the State. In order to connect the youth with overseas job opportunities, National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) is setting up India International Skill Centres (IISCs) across the country including Jharkhand. One IISC is already functional in the State where 60 students have already completed their training in General Housekeeper trade.
Pradhan added: “A Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) on Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) was signed between the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and Government of Japan last year in October, 2017 in Tokyo; which is expected to significantly expand the bilateral cooperation between India and Japan in the field of skill development and create opportunities of employment for Indian youth in Japan.”
For long-term trainings, a total of 255 ITIs are functional in Jharkhand currently with a seating capacity of 63,698 candidates out of which 57,646 candidates have been enrolled so far for the training. MSDE has also introduced a new scheme for Apprenticeship in 2016, NAPS, wherein major amendments have been done in the Apprentices Act to support the establishments and youth. Under this act, Government of India will share 25% of the prescribed stipend with establishments for all apprentices. A total of 205 establishments have been registered so far with 12,972 apprentices enrolled till date in the State.