Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana(PMKVY) is a flagship scheme for the skill training of youth with better pedagogy and trained instructors so that they can secure a better livelihood. This skill certification scheme was launched by Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) through the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). Initially, this scheme was launched for 2013-2016 with a target of 24 lakh people but now, it has been approved for another four years (2016-2020) to benefit 10 million youth. Skill training under this scheme would primarily focus on the school/college dropouts or unemployed candidates of Indian nationality.
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Background
The majority of India’s vast population is of working age. To capture the demographic potential of India’s youth an urgent and effective action to Skill India is needed. On the basis of 68th Round of National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), it is estimated that only 4.69 percent of India’s total workforce has undergone formal skill training. This figure is very low as compared to 52 percent in the USA, 68 percent in the UK, 75 percent in Germany, 80 percent in Japan and 96 percent in South Korea. Acknowledging the requirement of paying serious attention to this challenge, the Government created the first dedicated Department of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship on 31st July 2014, which became a full-fledged Ministry on 9th Nov 2014, with NSDA, NSDC, and NSDF under its purview. These changes have paved the way for new skilling ecosystem.
Key highlights of the scheme
- A budget of 1500 crore is sanctioned for the scheme.
- Currently, NSDC has 187 training partners that have over 2300 centers. In addition, Central / State Government affiliated training providers will also be used for training under the scheme.
- PMKVY skill training would be done based on the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) and industry-led standards.
- On the basis of the skills gap, National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) will decide upon the various skill training to be provided. Currently, skill training centers are imparting skills of 428 job roles.
- Apart from providing training according to the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), TCs are also required to impart training in Soft Skills, Entrepreneurship, Financial and Digital Literacy.
- Under this Scheme, Training and Assessment fees are completely paid by the Government and an average monetary reward of Rs. 8000 is given to trainees on assessment and certification.
- Upon successful completion of individual’s assessment, candidates shall be provided placement assistance and placement opportunities by PMKVY Training Partners (TPs). TPs shall also provide support to entrepreneurship development.
- Individuals with prior learning experience or skills shall be assessed and certified under the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) component of the Scheme. RPL aims to align the competencies of the unregulated workforce of the country to the NSQF.
- To ensure that high standards of quality are maintained by PMKVY TCs, NSDC and empaneled Inspection Agencies will use various methodologies, such as self-audit reporting, call validations, surprise visits, and monitoring through the Skills Development Management System (SDMS). These methodologies will be enhanced with the engagement of latest technologies.
- To handle the social and community mobilization challenge, PMKVY has assigned a special importance to the involvement of the target beneficiaries through a defined mobilization process. For this TPs shall conduct Kaushal and Rozgar Melas every six months with press/media coverage. They are also required to participate actively in National Career Service Melas and on-ground activities.
- The previous government had introduced a same kind of scheme as National Skill Development Mission in 2010 with a target of skilling 50 crore individuals by 2020.