Government's 'Skills on Wheels' Initiative Targets Empowering 60,000 Rural Youth with Future-Ready Skills

In a significant move aimed at enhancing the employability of rural youth, especially women, the Union Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, has launched the 'Skills on Wheels' initiative.

This innovative program, launched in collaboration with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and IndusInd Bank, aims to equip 60,000 young individuals in rural areas with essential digital skills to prepare them for a brighter future.

The 'Skills on Wheels' initiative is designed to transform the livelihoods of rural households by offering relevant skills training to the youth.

Empowering Rural Youth:

The core objective of the 'Skills on Wheels' initiative is to empower rural youth, with a particular focus on women, by providing them with vital digital skills that will make them job-ready and future-ready. The initiative is set to unfold over the course of five years, ushering in a positive change in the lives of the rural population.

Customized Bus for Skill Development:

'Skills On Wheels' is an ingeniously designed custom bus equipped with state-of-the-art tools and technology. This mobile skill development unit will traverse the remotest corners of India, bringing the Skill India Mission closer to those who need it the most.

The customized bus will play a pivotal role in ensuring that skill development reaches every aspirational and backward district, thereby bridging the urban-rural skills gap.

A Collaboration for Impact:

This initiative is a product of the collaboration between the government, NSDC, and IndusInd Bank. It reflects their commitment to catalyze meaningful partnerships between the public and private sectors to drive innovation and growth within India's skill development landscape.

Spreading Awareness and Transforming Lives:

One of the primary goals of the 'Skills on Wheels' initiative is to raise awareness at the grassroots level about the availability of free skill training programs. By doing so, it aims to empower youth to profoundly alter the trajectory of their lives through comprehensive skill training.

The program aspires to equip the youth with industry-relevant skills, enhancing both their theoretical knowledge and practical capabilities. This approach ensures that they can secure better livelihoods by aligning their skills with market demands.

Bridging the Skills Gap:

The initiative also seeks to address the gap between the skill requirements of the industry and the unemployment challenges faced by youth. By offering guidance and facilitating the selection of the right courses based on academic backgrounds, aptitude, and skill sets, 'Skills on Wheels' aims to channel youth into professions that match their passion and abilities.

Some relevant and latest facts about the 'Skills on Wheels' initiative:

• The initiative was launched on September 18, 2023, by the Union Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

• The initiative is a collaboration between the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and IndusInd Bank.

• The initiative aims to equip 60,000 rural youth, especially women, with key digital skills and make them job and future-ready over a period of five years.

• A customized bus with retrofitted tools will travel across the length and breadth of aspirational and backward districts to provide free skill training programs to rural youth.

• The initiative will focus on providing training in high-demand digital skills such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, and cybersecurity.

• The initiative is expected to have a significant impact on the lives of rural youth by providing them with the skills they need to get better jobs and improve their livelihoods.

In addition to the above, here are some other relevant and latest facts about the importance of skill development for rural youth in India:

• According to a report by the World Bank, 60% of India's workforce will need to be reskilled or upskilled by 2030 to meet the demands of the changing economy.

• Rural youth are disproportionately affected by unemployment and poverty. According to the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), the unemployment rate among rural youth is 10.4%, compared to 5.8% among urban youth.

• Skill development can help rural youth to get better jobs and improve their livelihoods. A study by the NSDC found that skilled workers earn on average 2.5 times more than unskilled workers.

• Skill development can also help rural youth to start their own businesses and become entrepreneurs.

The 'Skills on Wheels' initiative is a timely and much-needed intervention to address the challenges facing rural youth in India. By providing free skill training in high-demand digital skills, the initiative is expected to have a significant impact on the lives of rural youth and help them to achieve their full potential.

Conclusion,

The 'Skills on Wheels' initiative is a beacon of hope for rural youth, promising them access to skills and knowledge that will unlock new opportunities and contribute to the overall progress of India's workforce. Through this collaborative effort, the government, NSDC, and IndusInd Bank aim to empower rural India by providing the tools and expertise needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving job market.