HYDERABAD: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s announcement to launch a multi-skill development programme, Skill India, to impart training in traditional professions like plumbing, welding, carpentry, cobblery, masonry, weaving, has evoked mixed reactions from youngsters from different walks of life.
Some believe it is the first step towards building a better nation in the future. Some others sought to know how different is it going to be from the efforts promised in the past.
A private firm employee, Mahesh Raju wonders how India with the largest number of young workers and a mere 2 per cent of them skilled could be transformed. “The training opportunities are much lesser than the available labour force. They need jobs. And not everyone is employable,” he says.
An engineering student looking forward to a job, Luqmaan Siddiqui of Gokaraju Rangaraju Institute of Engineering and Technology, adds, “It would have been better had the programme been oriented towards providing youth good education while ensuring employment.”
Echoing similar views, Zikrullah Khan, a PhD scholar at University of Hyderabad, says, “It looks like another political stunt. Existing institutions meant for the purpose are in shambles. There is no infrastructure, teachers or even funds for them. Promising jobs in smart cities is an eyewash.” Further, he adds, “Instead, the government should look at linking our primary and secondary education sectors with skill development and prevent school dropouts.” Nikhil Kuruganti, a young entrepreneur, however, prefers to see the bright side.
“Creating a ministry for promoting entrepreneurship and skill development is a promising move,” he says. According to him, the existing National Skill Development Corporation(NSDC) is more like an agency ensuring placements.