Centre to launch skill development centers for overseas employment

NEW DELHI: Aiming to help Indian youth in getting overseas employment, the government will soon launch Pravasi Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PVKY) scheme to enhance skills in line with international standards. The scheme will be implemented by National Skill Development Corporation through its training partners in consultation with ministry of external affairs (MEA) and ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship (MSDE).

Manish Gupta, Joint Secretary (Overseas Indian Affairs Division) in the Ministry of External Affairs, said the work on this scheme is at a fairly advanced stage.

In July, the MEA and the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) had signed a Memorandum of Understanding for implementation of PVKY. An official of the skill development ministry said that soon about 50 skill centers will be launched for overseas employment purpose.

Early this year, India and European Union also signed a joint declaration on a common agenda on migration and mobility, the officer said adding that India has a 30 million strong diaspora and attracted USD 70 billion in remittance last year. "But we have not been able to fully harness its full potential and government is working on it," he added.

Officials said that the programme is aimed at training and certification of Indian workforce keen on overseas employment in select sectors and job roles, in line with international standards.

While skill development ministry, through NSDC, would establish customised international skill centres to operationalise this initiative, MEA role would be to support pre-departure orientation training, which will include language and soft skills training modules. The training offered will also be backed by an internationally recognised assessment and certification system, officials said.    

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