3.5.3. Skill Development

♤ According to estimates, only about 2.3% of the Indian population have undergone formal skill training as compared to UK 68%, Germany’s 75%, USA’s 52% , Japan’s 80% and South Korea’s 96%.

♤ Creation of new ministry of skill development marked a paradigm towards a new trajectory. The Skill India initiative aims to impart skills into 50 crores Indians by 2022. In addition to this, number of schemes and policies have been initiated.

♤ But mere promulgation of schemes is not enough. It is estimated that our demographic divided will last for only 25 years. Thus, India needs to significantly scale up its skill development initiatives ensuring quality and speed with efforts from both public and private sectors.

♤ Apprenticeship is an effective method for skill development as they offer efficient industry relevant training.

♤ In India, we do not have independent regulator overseeing various skill development initiatives. Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) is acting as both policy setting and regulatory body. The next step should be to set up an independent regulatory body at arm’s length distance from the government.

♤ According to Skill Development Achievements Report, 2016 the placement rate of those skilled under government schemes is less than 50%. It should be enhanced to 80% over next three years.

♤ Following indicators should be used to report on the aggregate performance of the NSDC

o Per Cent of certified candidates employed

o Longevity of certified candidates in their chosen job field.

o Wage difference between certified and unskilled candidates.

o Number of entrepreneurs created through the vocational training ecosystem.

o No. of certified candidates employed on overseas vocational jobs.

♤ A National Level Overseas Employment Promotion Agency (OEPA) should be set up under MEA to consolidate all promotional activity of the government.

♤ The skills and expertise of the Indians living abroad or returning should be recognized and exploited. Further, there should be separate focus on the skills developed by foreign immigrants in India as they offer global experiences and perspectives.

♤ In addition to Recognition of Prior Learning, special focus should be on the identification of transferrable skills.

♤ The role of NSDC needs to delineated better. Currently most of the NSDC’s bandwidth is consumed by managing PMKVY which primarily does not address higher levels of skills or market led non-sponsored skilling program. There is need to set up a dedicated cell for PMKVY so that NSDC has focus on its envisaged role.