Patola from Patan, Gujarat, a weave specific to this region, was nurtured in Patan since the times of Siddhraj Jaisingh, king of Gujarat around 1000 AD. The skill of weaving this mesmerising weave belonged to a community of Salvi. They passed on this skill from generation to generation.
With advent of British rule over Bharat, the attraction for skilled handmade products decreased as Machine made products turned out to be cheaper in cost. Hence, during British era, the younger generations of skilled professionals began opting for White Collar jobs, as it appeared as higher source of income and power. With increasing Western influence and English education, skilled jobs were looked down upon.
The era after independence, Bharat has witnessed population explosion in last 70 years. Population control has only been on paper but no previous Governments have taken up the task of working for and solving this controversial issue.
Bharat, at present, is second most populated nation (1.35 billion) after China (1.42 billion). Bharat, is one of the youngest nation in the world with more than 62% of it population in the working age group (15-59) and around 54% below 25 years.
With Right to Education policy, spread of education has increased many folds and as it's result, obtaining higher degrees by large section of young generation is prevalent.
To equip this colossal workforce with lucrative livelihood opportunities is a major task for the Government. Provision of White Collar jobs to this growing educated youth is not feasible.
At the same time, not each and every youth possess the ability to obtain highly specialised degrees such as In Medicine, Engineering, Architecture, Business Administrators, Law etc. There are young who are School dropouts and have obtained only the basic education. They too, have the right to get opportunities in shaping their careers and make progress.
To achieve the economic growth of 8 to 9 % per annum, major quantum of growth has to be contributed by Secondary and Tertiary sectors, thereby creating an urgent need for skilled man power in these sectors.
At the same time, providing inclusive growth and to diminish inequality amongst the population was an important measure. As 22% of Bharat’s population still is below Poverty-line, the Government’s Skill Development policies are focused on raising income opportunities for these sections of society. Also skilling of those in the education system is becoming important as the industry finds the graduates highly unemployable.
Another extremely important aspect in Skill development is recognition of Women’s role as Entrepreneurs, in Male dominated surrounding. To maintain equilibrium of gender equality in social fabric, it is essential that discriminatory conduct against women be nullified. The talent and the efforts of Womanfolk, especially in the rural areas must be recognised and properly channelised as contribution towards GDP of the economy.
According to CSO, 59.30% rural women are self employed, whereas Male ratio is at 54.50%.This data indicates a huge role of women in strengthening economic growth.40 % of Seventy three Lakhs trainees are women.
Women, belonging to middle class and lower middle class in urban areas have access to electronic gadgets and LPG cylinders, which permits them spare time. Utilising the spare time in cultivating skill and earning livelihood through the skill, enables women to stand in their own feet and eventually be part of nation building.
The NDA Government led by Narendra Modi, immediately after coming to power in 2014, took the initiative of channelising our demographic dividend into tool-for-economic-growth. A specific ministry for Skill Development was formed on 9th November 2014, for the first time.
Previously, UPA Govt. had created a fund for promoting Skill development but unfortunately, no specific strategy was planned to execute it. Hence, the fund had remained unutilized and potentials unexplored.
Under this, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, on 15th July 2015, it’s flagship scheme called Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojna was launched.
The Central Government has a target of training One Crore youth by the end of 2020.
The objective of this Skill certification scheme is to enable a large number of Bharatiya youth to take up industry relevant skill training which would help them in securing better livelihood. The Ministry is responsible for co-ordination of all skill development efforts across the country, removal of disconnect between demand and supply of skilled manpower, building up vocational and technical training frameworks, skill up gradation, building of new skills and innovative thinking, not only for existing jobs but also jobs that are to be created in the future.
Under the PMKVY, any youth with minimum education from Std. 8 to Std. 12, (May be a drop out) is imparted with skilled training that would enable them to earn livelihood.
There are more than 40 fields like Construction, Electronics & Hardware, Food processing, Gems & Jewellery, Furniture & Fitting, Handicrafts, Beauty Treatment, Bakery, Housekeeping & Hospitality, Tailoring, Accounting, Mobile repairing under PMKVY. The prospective trainees can select any as per his/her aspirations.
The National Skill Development Policy was initially launched in 2009 and with establishment of a revised NSDP was launched in 2015.
MSDE has developed an umbrella framework for all spilling activities and aligned them to common standards. It has set up institutions and agencies to focus on different activities.
It currently operates through three agencies.
1. National Skill Development Authority (NSDA)
2.National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)
3. Directorate General of Training (DGT)
The Skill India campaign was launched on 15th July 2015 with aim of training 40 Crore people in Bharat in various skills by 2022.
Along with PradhanMantri Kaushal Vikas Yojna (PMKVY) as its ambitious programme, there are different initiatives under this campaign operates such as National Skill Development Mission, National policy for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship 2015,
Skill loan Scheme and Rural India Skill.
Key features of the scheme :
1. Short term training : PMKVY training period is either three months, six months or one year. Certificate awarded post completion of course is valid pan Bharat.
2. Free of cost training : Fee for the PMKVY courses is borne by the Central Government and the trainee does not pay any fee. In fact the Government rewards around Rs. 8000/- at the time of completion of course.
3. Skill Card : After competition of syllabus under PMKVY, the performance of the trainee would be valued by SSC endorsed agency. If the trainee passes the Gradation test and is Aadhar Card holder, he/she becomes entitled to receive Govt.approved Certificate and Skill Card.
4. Recognition of Prior Learning : Individuals with prior learning experience or skill shall be assessed and certified under the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
5. Kaushal and Rozgar Mela : Social and Community mobilisation is extremely critical for the successful implementation of PMKVY. Training Partners (TP’s) shall conduct Kaushal and Rozgar Mela (Job fair) and National Career Service Mela every six months. TP’s shall also provide support to entrepreneurship development.
The scheme (PMKVY) is implemented through the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).
United Kingdom (UK) has entered into a partnership with Bharat under Skill Development programme. Virtual partnerships is initiated at the school level to enable the young students of these countries to experience the school system as well as culture, traditions and Social and family systems of the other country.
Amidst the calamity of pandemic COVID 2019, which has engulfed the entire globe, the arithmetic regarding work culture will be going through immense changes.Till date, China had dominated the manufacturing sector and the entire world was looking up to China. But with emergence of COVID 2019 in Chinese soil and China’s conduct thereafter, has produced lack of trust towards China in the world. Bharat, is the next destination with a huge workforce available to be absorbed, hence the world will be looking at Bharat, post COVID 2019. PMKVY trained Skilled workforce will be bringing revolution, taking the nation to another level.