(a) whether the Government has prepared any integrated programme for the students pursuing higher education to upgrade their skills along with their curriculum and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the plan of the Government for re-evaluation and enhancement of skills for the candidates working in traditional work system; and;
(c) whether the Government has formulated any special scheme for skill enhancement for emerging and future industries and if so, the details thereof?
(a) National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) is a nationally integrated education and competency-based skill framework providing for multiple pathways, horizontal as well as vertical, within vocational education, vocational training, general education and technical education, thus linking one level of learning to another higher level. The Government has been supporting implementation of NSQF through scheme run by different Ministries/Departments in collaboration with MSDE. Till date, National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) has approved 5470 NSQF aligned qualifications of various Awarding Bodies like Central Ministries (including their institutes), State Government and Sector Skill Councils etc. Further, the University Grant Commission (UGC) has facilitated higher education institutions across the country to provide skill-based education under National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) offering full-time, credit-based programmes at the level of Certificate, Diploma, Advanced Diploma, B.Voc, P.G. Diploma, M.Voc and Research with multiple entry and exit options.
(b) Under Skill India Mission, more than 20 central Ministries/Departments are running schemes/programs to impart skill training to the youth including women. Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship is implementing a flagship scheme Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) to impart short duration skill development training to youth of the country. Under PMKVY, training has been imparted in various job roles of 37 different sectors including job roles of traditional arts and crafts under Handicrafts and Carpet Sector Skill Council (HCSSC). Some of the traditional job roles are Bamboo Basket Maker, Bamboo Mat Weaver, Beading Artisans, Carpet Weaving, Carving Artisans, Tarakashi Jeweller, Decorative Painter, Sketching & Painting Artisans, Hand Rolled Agarbatti Maker, Crochet Lace Trailers, Hand Embroiderer etc.
The Ministry through NSDC is implementing several special projects under PMKVY targeting artisans’ clusters in partnership with private sector in a manner where 100% artisans are ensured employment. Under this, special project to revive the traditional Namda craft of Jammu & Kashmir and Upskilling of Weavers & Artisans on traditional crafts of Nagaland and Jammu and Kashmir are being implemented.
(c) Twenty One (21) Sector Skill Councils have identified the requirement of future/emerging skills in their respective domains including on Drones, Robotics, Mechatronics, Artificial intelligence, 3D Printing etc. for development of Qualifications. Further, Directorate General of Training under Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship has introduced following 14 new age vocational courses in new emerging areas through a network of Govt. & Private ITIs (Industrial Training Institutes) under Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) across the country viz. Internet of Things (Smart Agriculture), Internet of Things (Smart Healthcare ), Internet of Things (Smart City) ,Smartphone Technician Cum App Tester, Geo Informatics Assistant, Aeronautical Structure and Equipment Fitter, Additive Manufacturing Technician (3D Printing), Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA)/Drone Pilot, Electrician Power Distribution, Technician Mechatronics, Solar Technician (Electrical), Technician Electronics System Design & Repair, Fiber to Home Technician, Drone Technician
Besides, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), has identified the 30 emerging technology, which include Artificial Intelligence, Block Chain, Data Analytics, Cyber Security etc. AICTE has also approved starting of the degree and diploma program in these emerging areas.