Comprehensive Skill Development Policy

The  Ministry of Labour & Employment has formulated National Policy on Skill Development which was approved by the Union Cabinet on 23rd February, 2009. The policy is a guiding document for implementation of various skill development programmes of the country. Presently, Government is not considering a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model for certification of skill development courses by global major and top Indian Companies. However, Sector Skills Councils are being setup which will may play an important role in development of National Occupational Standards, Training Standards, Certification etc.          “National Skill Development Mission” encompasses the efforts of several line Ministries of Central Government, State Governments and the activities in the private sector guided by National Policy on Skill Development and supported by the following three institutions: (i)The Prime Minister’s National Council on Skill Development under the chairmanship of Hon’ble Prime Minister, to review the spectrum of skill development efforts for policy direction;  (ii) “National Skill Development Coordination  Board” under the chairmanship of Hon’ble  Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission to enumerate strategies to implement the decisions of PM’s council; and (iii) “National Skill Development Corporation” (NSDC), a non-profit company under the Companies Act, 1956, of which 49% of equity base  is contributed by the Central Government while 51% by the private sector. The Corporation is expected to meet the skill training requirements of the labour market including that of unorganized sector. National Policy on Skill Development (NPSD),has set a target for skilling 500 million persons by the year 2022.  The detailed road map for achieving the above target by National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and different Ministries/Departments is at Annex-I.        Government is not considering relaxation of formal education norms for people to get into ITI institutions and other skill development courses. However, a new scheme,  titled Skill Development Initiative through Modular Employable Skill (MES) courses has been launched under which short term modular  courses are offered through institutions including schools and public/private training institutions/NGOs, etc. Under the scheme, there is a provision for testing and certification of skills acquired by a person with educational qualification upto fifth class, after assessment by independent assessing bodies. The Minister of State for Labour & Employment Shri  K. Suresh gave this information in reply to a written question in the Lok Sabha today .