• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approves two new skill development World Bank supported schemes of Rs. 6,655 crore
• The two schemes include the Rs 4,455 crore Skills Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP) and Skill Strengthening for Industrial Value Enhancement (STRIVE) of Rs 2,200 crore.
Key Points:
• SANKALP is a centrally sponsored scheme backed by Rs 3,300 crore loan from the World Bank whereas half of the total cost of STRIVE will also be borne by the World Bank
• SANKALP and STRIVE Schemes are outcome focused schemes marking shift in government’s implementation strategy in vocational education and training from inputs to results.
• SANKALP and STRIVE Schemes shall address setting up national bodies for accreditation & certification which shall regulate accreditation and certification in both long and short-term Vocational Education and Training (VET).
• The SANKALP and STRIVE schemes shall support universalization of National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) including National Quality Assurance Framework (NQAF) across the skill development schemes of central and state governments thus ensuring standardization in skill delivery, content and training output.
• SANKALP will provide market relevant training to 3.5 crore youth. STRIVE will focus to improve on the quality and the market relevance of vocational training provided in ITIs and strengthen the apprenticeship programme through industry-cluster approach.
• Both the schemes are aimed at institutional reforms and improving quality and market relevance of skill development training programs
• SANKALP aims to setting up of trainers and assessors academies with self-sustainable models; and STRIVE will incentivise ITIs to improve overall performance including apprenticeship by involving SMEs, business association and industry clusters
• The schemes aim to develop a robust mechanism for delivering quality skill development training by strengthening institutions such as State Skill Development Missions (SSDMs), National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), Sector Skill Councils (SSCs), ITIs and National Skill Development Agency (NSDA) etc.
Benefits
• The schemes shall provide the required impetus to the National Skill Development Mission, 2015 and its various sub missions.
• The schemes are aligned to flagship Government of India programs such as Make in India and Swachhta Abhiyan and also aim at developing globally competitive workforce for domestic and overseas requirements.
• There has been a long felt need for a national architecture for promoting convergence, ensuring effective governance and regulation of skill training and catalysing industry efforts in vocational training space. The two schemes shall address this need by setting up national bodies
• The schemes will also work towards increasing the aspirational value of skill development programs by increasing the marketability of skills, through better industry connect and quality assurance.
• Greater decentralization in skill planning will be ensured by institutional strengthening at the State level which includes setting up of State Skill Development Missions (SSDMs) and allowing states to come up with District and State level Skill Development Plans (DSDP/SSDP) and design skill training interventions to suit the local needs.
• SANKALP aims at enhancement of inclusion of marginalized communities including women,Scheduled Castes,Schedule Tribes and Persons with Disabilities to provide skill training opportunities to the underprivileged and marginalised section of the society.
• The schemes will develop a skilling ecosystem that will support the country’s rise in the Ease of Doing Business index by steady supply of skilled workforce to the industry.
♦ Pradeep Gautam
Sources:
Press information bureau government of india
Economic Times.
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