HRD Minister: India to Accomplish 25% Skilled Workforce by 2017 through Vocational Education

M M Pallam Raju  (Minister for Human Resource Development) stated India is targeting to raise the percentage from presently 12% to 25% by 2017, of the workers possessing formal skills and knowledge through means of vocational learning and training. HRD Minister stated it in Delhi on Monday, during the inauguration of the National Workshop on 'Skilling India for the Next Decade through NVEQF'. The foundation ceremony on NVEQF was arranged by AICTE, the apex body, along with the MHRD.
To meet the aim, Mr. Raju also emphasised on promoting Public-Private Partnership in financing, delivery of delivery, and provision of trainer’s workspaces along with the training, in order to meet the demand and supply gap of skill development.
He also said that there is a call for setting up an institutional mechanism to provide right of entry to information related to skill inventory, skill management and development. Special focus must be put on the sectors having high potential of getting employed.

The minister added that the purpose of creating skill development is to build a workforce boasting upgraded skills, understanding, and qualifications that should be internationally recognized, offering suitable employment opportunities and ensuring India's competitiveness in the active global market.

The minister for Government of India taking initiatives of skill development laid emphasis on four schemes: Government-run Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) from 1896, the Ministry of Labour firmed on introducing a PPP-based model of reform in the year 2007.
Second, approximately 2,000 industrial training centres having private ownership which are now known as private ITIs came up in 2007, since then the number has risen to 6,498 estimated in 2011.
Besides, the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) since 2010 is helping the establishment of business-oriented companies, to encourage skill enhancement and up-gradation.
MHRD also initiated a National Vocational Education Qualification Framework (NVEQF), in India, involving private sector industry in the provision of training and enhancing vocational education.
Ashok Thakur (Secretary of Higher Education,) said that all the stakeholders including Vice-chancellor of universities, Dean of Boards, Principals of colleges must appreciate and join hands to accept the NVEQF. He also added that multiple regulators must be created.