Skills development is a major challenge, says Minister in Charge, Technical Education & Training, WB

December 17, 2012 12:53 pm

A white paper “Skill for All – New Approaches to Skilling India”— a joint effort by FICCI and Manipal City & Guilds — is released by Dr. Rabiranjan Chattopadhyay, Minister in Charge, Technical Education and Training, Govt. of West Bengal at an interactive session on skill development at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
FICCI along with the Government of West Bengal, and India Trade Fair Promotion Organization (ITPO) also conducted an interactive session on the topic ‘Skill Education – New Horizon’ at Pragati Maidan Auditorium.
“We have already set up a state-level skill development mission under the chairmanship of the chief minister,” Dr. Chattopadhyay said in his inaugural address. “This will initiate a ‘single window approach’ for imparting skill training and introducing national level curriculum, evaluation and certification to improve the employment opportunity of the youth within and outside the state.”
He further added, “Skill development is a major challenge that our country is facing. The chasm between population and employment figures of the country suggests that a huge chunk of potential workforce needs to be trained and suitably placed for accomplishing the goal of inclusive growth. The target of skilling eight crore people in the 12th plan has been enjoined upon by the Prime Minister’s National Council on Skill Development.”
“The Government alone cannot shoulder this responsibility, so it is imperative that we have to look for forging partnerships, with enablers like you all,” Dr. Chattopadhyay pointed out.
“India’s prosperity depends on skills,” John Yates, CEO, Manipal City & Guilds, said. “Developing both — shared interest and shared responsibility — is main priority. So when I hear skills for all, it’s not just everyone being able to receive skills training. It’s also about everyone taking responsibility for their own skill development.”
The white paper elaborates on five aspects of skills development.