(a) whether the Government has launched any special scheme for skill development of youth belonging to minority communities and if so, the details thereof; and
(b) The number of youth belonging to the minority communities in Uttar Pradesh who have benefited from the special scheme for skill development launched for them?
MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI MUKHTAR ABBAS NAQVI)
(a) and (b): Yes, Madam. Ministry of Minority Affairs has launched following schemes for skill development of minority youths:
(i) “Seekho aur Kamao (Learn & Earn)”: “Seekho aur Kamao (Learn & Earn)”, is a placement linked skill development scheme launched on 23rd September, 2013 for minorities aiming to upgrade the skills of minority youth in various modern/traditional skills depending upon their qualification, present economic trends and market potential, which can earn them suitable employment or make them suitably skilled to go for self-employment. Total 35,670 trainees have been trained under the scheme so far in the State of Uttar Pradesh.
(ii) Nai Manzil: Scheme was launched on 08th August, 2015 with an aims to benefit the minority youth who do not have a formal school leaving certificate i.e. those in the category of school dropouts or educated in the community education institutions like Madarsas, in order to provide them formal education and skills, and enable them to seek better employment in the organized sector and thus to equip them for better lives. A total number of 10,290 trainees have been allotted to Uttar Pradesh under the scheme.
In addition, Ministry also runs scheme of Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/ Crafts for Development (USTTAD) launched on 14th May, 2015 to preserve the rich heritage of traditional arts/crafts of minorities. The scheme aims at capacity building and updating the traditional skills of master craftsmen/artisans; documentation of identified traditional arts/crafts of minorities; set standards for traditional skills; training of minority youths in various identified traditional arts/crafts through master craftsmen; and develop national and international market linkages. Total 6,900 trainees have been trained under the scheme so far in the State of Uttar Pradesh.
Further, Maulana Azad Education Foundation (MAEF), an autonomous body under this Ministry has launched a new scheme titled Gharib Nawaz Skill Development Training for minority youth for providing short term job oriented skill courses leading to sustained and gainful employment.
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