As per PLFS 2021-22 only 19.5% of workforce received training (3.4% in formal & 16.1% in informal). “Skill development of the new generation is a national need and is the foundation of Atmanirbhar Bharat”.

1) Skills and knowledge are the driving forces of economic growth and social development for any country.
2) India currently faces a severe shortage of skilled workers It is estimated 2.3% of the work force in India
has undergone formal skill training (South Korea 96%; Japan 80%; Germany 75%)
3) India is having world’s largest youngest population (Demographic Dividend)
a) More than 54 % of its total population is below 25 years of age and over 62 % of the population is
in working age group (15 to 59 years).
4) To create more formal jobs.

1) Public perception that views skilling as the last option meant for those who have not been able to
progress/opted out of the formal academic system.
2) Skill development programmes of the Central Government are spread across more than 20
Ministries/Departments without any robust coordination and monitoring mechanism to ensure
convergence.
3) Multiplicity in assessment and certification systems that leads to inconsistent outcomes and causes
confusion among employers.
4) Paucity of trainers, inability to attract practitioners from industry as faculty.
5) Mismatch between demand and supply at the sectoral and spatial levels.
6) Limited mobility between skill and higher education programs and vocational education.
7) Very low coverage of apprenticeship programs.
8) Narrow and often obsolete skill curricula.
9) Predominant non-farm, unorganised sector employment with low productivity but no premium for
skilling.

1) Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana
a) Short term training for unemployed youth / college dropouts
b) Recognition of prior learning
2) Skill Hub initiative to facilitate and make education more relevant and create industry skilled workforce
3) Re-energizing and Re-imagining the ITI’s (e.g Drone course)
4) Focus on Digital Skilling
5) Promoting Apprenticeship Training

The Indian government’s initiatives are aimed at fostering a skilled and entrepreneurial workforce, addressing the challenges faced in the skilling and entrepreneurship landscape and contributing to the country’s economic and social development.