NEW DELHI: “Skilling initiatives” for rural youths would be taken up in a big way and 50 per cent of the Skill Ministry’s budget will be focused on jobs related to rural areas.
Speaking to reporters here on Tuesday, Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajiv Pratap Rudy said the ministry would ensure the creation of 1,500 multi-skill training institutes in the next three years — which will basically be new-generation Industrial Training Institutes — under the PPP mode. So far there have just been standalone government or private ITIs. These will be set up in those blocks and districts which are yet to focus on skill development and do not have ITIs.
He said with the implementation of common norms with effect from April 1, there would be more synergy across ministries, departments and States on skill development.
Rudy also said the government would work to deliver entrepreneurship, education and training in 2,200 colleges, 300 schools, 500 government ITIs and 50 vocational training centres. Aspiring entrepreneurs will be connected to mentors and credit markets. The minister further said 18 lakh youths had already enrolled in the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana over the last eight months. “We conducted 410 kaushal melas across 29 States reaching out to many of those who needed a direction with regard to employability and employment,” he added.