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BENGALURU: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday announced starting of an exclusive skill development programme to train Indians seeking employment aboard.
Speaking after inaugurating the 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Bengaluru, the PM said, the “Pravasi Kaushal Vikas Yojana’’ (PKVY) is aimed at providing suitable skill sets for those seeking employment abroad by training them in different trades and also imparting soft skills. They can take up work abroad with confidence and required skill sets,’’ he said.
PKVY is a skill development initiative by the Ministry of External Affairs. The MEA and the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for its implementation. The scheme will be implemented by National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) through its training partners in consultation with MEA and MSDE.
Modi said under the programme, training will be provided to job aspirants for 15 days to one month. “They will learn about culture and language of the country they go to work. We are adding value to their skills so that they can work with confidence and not feel like outsiders when they go
abroad,’’ he said.
The initiative will be more helpful to people from lower middle class and blue collar workers. “It can be of great help to those taking up jobs like housing-keeping. It can also help people when they go to work in other countries as the training will help them feel as though they have been there from many years,’’ he said.
Emphasising on the government’s initiatives to ensure safety of Indians working aboard, the PM said the government is taking stern action against illegal recruitment agencies in the country. Central agencies and state police are taking action against such agencies, he said. The deposit amount for starting such agencies has also been increased from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 50 lakh.
The PM spoke about various initiatives taken by his government to connect with the Indian diaspora and also help Indians caught in conflict zones in different parts of the world. “Your dreams are our resolve and we will realise them by working together,’’ he said.
Indians working aboard are making a significant contribution to the country’s development. Annual remittance of $69 billion make an invaluable contribution to the economy, he said and termed NRIs as co-travellers in the journey of development.
The PM said embassies have been directed to take proactive measures to help Indians in other countries. “The message is clear; we are there for you when you need us. We don’t look at the colour of the passport, we value blood bonding,’’ he said.