MSDE and DARE Conduct “Skilling: Future Ready” Workshop at Kaushal Bhawan
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) recently conducted the second workshop titled “Skilling: Future Ready Workforce” at Kaushal Bhawan in New Delhi. This event served as a precursor to the upcoming 5th National Conference of Chief Secretaries. The workshop gathered senior policymakers, industry leaders, and academic experts to devise a comprehensive strategy for skill development in India, emphasizing the theme “Human Capital for Viksit Bharat.” The discussions highlighted the importance of aligning skill initiatives with the nation’s long-term development goals.
Key Focus Areas for Skill Development
During the workshop, Ms. Sonal Mishra, Additional Secretary at MSDE, underscored the necessity of aligning skill development initiatives with demographic trends and technological advancements. She identified five critical focus areas essential for nurturing human capital in India: ensuring skilling opportunities for all, addressing the skill-employment gap, aligning training with industry demands, enhancing service delivery systems, and facilitating the re-skilling and up-skilling of the current workforce. These areas aim to create a robust and adaptable workforce capable of meeting the challenges posed by a rapidly evolving job market.
Shri Rajit Punhani, Secretary of MSDE, reinforced the significance of skill training as a foundational element of the vision for Viksit Bharat by 2047. He emphasized the need for every young individual and working professional to acquire relevant skills that contribute to both personal and national growth. He highlighted three pivotal pillars: enhancing agricultural skills, upgrading Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), and focusing on future skills. By integrating agricultural training into mainstream education, the initiative aims to empower rural youth and promote agriculture as a viable career path.
Transforming ITIs and Agricultural Skilling
A significant part of the workshop was dedicated to discussing the recently approved ₹60,000 crore ITI Upgradation Scheme. The Directorate General of Training (DGT) presented a detailed roadmap for transforming ITIs into modern, industry-aligned skilling hubs. The presentation outlined the scheme’s key components and strategic implementation across various states. State officials shared their progress, including collaborations with industries, identification of regional skill clusters, and modernization efforts. However, they also pointed out challenges such as difficulties in engaging private partners in smaller states, faculty shortages, and the necessity for increased industry involvement to ensure the sustainability of upgraded ITIs.
Shri Rajbir Singh, Deputy Director General of DARE, emphasized the critical role of agriculture in India’s economy. He proposed transforming Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) into skill and incubation hubs to train farmers and support rural youth in entrepreneurship. This initiative aims to position agricultural skilling as a national priority, ensuring that the workforce is equipped with the necessary skills to thrive in this vital sector.
Collaborative Efforts and Best Practices
The workshop featured five thematic sessions focused on various aspects of skill development, including “Skilling for All,” “Filling the Skill-Employment Gap,” and “Demand-Based Skilling with Industry Alignment.” Representatives from states such as Karnataka, Odisha, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal actively participated, sharing innovative skilling models and best practices. Karnataka and Odisha showcased inclusive initiatives, while Assam discussed strategies for bridging the skill-employment gap. Uttar Pradesh and Tripura highlighted their efforts in aligning skill training with industry needs, and West Bengal presented its approaches to enhancing service delivery mechanisms.
Industry partners also played a crucial role in the discussions, providing insights and collaborative models. Representatives from companies like Adobe, Sodexo, and Tata Strive contributed to thematic sessions on reskilling and upskilling. Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) such as Indian Oil and Bharat Petroleum shared their initiatives in skill development and research. These interactions underscored the importance of collaboration among government, academia, and industry to prepare India’s workforce for emerging job roles.
Future Directions and Conclusions
The workshop concluded with a consensus on the need for stronger collaboration among stakeholders, investment in future-ready infrastructure, and leveraging international partnerships to create a resilient skilling ecosystem. The insights gained from this workshop will inform discussions at the upcoming Chief Secretaries’ Conference and guide future policy directions in skill development. All states and Union Territories have been tasked with gathering feedback from various levels of officers to contribute to the national skilling agenda, with a deadline for submissions set for August 2025. This collaborative effort aims to ensure that India’s workforce is well-prepared to meet the demands of a dynamic global economy.
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