PM Modi launches Skill India Campaign; govt to train 40 crore youngsters by 2022

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: Pushing ahead with his ambitious Skill India Mission, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday launched a number of initiatives aimed at developing skills and promoting entrepreneurship among Indian youth.

These include a redesigned Model Skill Loan Scheme, Skill Card for persons certified under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana and the new National Policy for Skill Development.

We have started a war against poverty and we have to win, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi while launching 'Skill India' Mission.

The government has set a target of skilling 40.2 crore people by 2022 and the initiatives are aimed at realising this objective.

The Prime Minister today formally launched the National Skill Development Mission, unveiled the new National Policy for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship 2015 and rolled out on all-India flagship scheme, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY).

The Model Skill Loan Scheme has been simplified to make the process for sanctioning loans easier. We are also going to link it with the credit guarantee fund so that banks' risk on giving small loans is reduced, the PM said.

He further said that India has taken a significant step towards skill development and will ensure maximum workforce for the world.

Skill India is a mission for the less privileged students, Modi added.

The Skill Card will be given to those certified under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) — the government's flagship scheme to impart skills training to people.

Earlier this month, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister had cleared an institutional framework for the National Skills Mission, and also approved the first integrated national policy for developing skills and promoting entrepreneurship.

The mission will have a three-tiered, high powered decision making structure, with its governing council being chaired by the Prime Minister.
The new National Policy for Skill Development policy is the country's first integrated national scheme for developing skills and promoting entrepreneurship at a large scale and was recently approved by the Union Cabinet. It acknowledges the need for an effective roadmap for promotion of entrepreneurship as the key to a successful skills strategy.

The previous National Policy on Skill Development was formulated by the Ministry of Labour and Employment in 2009 and provided for a review after five years to align the policy framework with emerging national and international trends.

With PTI Inputs