In a bid to create employment opportunities at the grass-root level, the Center has called for a public-private partnership that will work towards creating Skill Development Centers across the country.

Addressing a press conference at the National Industry Conclave on Skills’ organised by the Union Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajiv Pratap Rudy said, that the Center has sought interest from several industry captains including Tata Group, Reliance Industries, JSW Steel and Essar to join Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Skill India Mission.

“We have got interest from several industry captains along with some of the top bankers to enhance the skills of people at the grass-root level so that employment can be generated not only in cities but also in the villages. We need to have one skill development centre each across all districts by 2017, which means we need 630 centers,” Rudy said, adding that the Tata Group has committed to build about 40 skill development centres by next year. They already have 32 centers at present. Similarly, Sriram Transport Finance will work towards creating more skilful drivers in the ecosystem.

Rudy added that the industry leaders who are the stakeholders in the skill ecosystem along with the government will work towards creating a proper structure on how to impart requisite skills. While, the Center will provide land facilities, the companies will build centers.

“We have one year to streamline various schemes, state government and department within one skill ecosystem. The base is set and it is time that we start seeing results,” Rudy said. He added that the Center has identified eight core areas where the people need skill improvement. For example, school and college dropouts, engineering graduates, farmers and carpenters among others.

Source: Business Line