Introduction

Skills have often been considered superpowers, a way to be distinct in a crowd, aligned with industry requirements, and employable. The state of affairs since independence has changed, but the narrative remains the same, India lacks skilled labour, which makes unemployment a challenge that cannot be tackled. To solve the employment crisis, various initiatives toward skilling the Indian youth have been taken

1. Skill India Mission (2015)
2. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)
3. National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS)
4. National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)
5. Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS)
6. Skill Development in Higher Education

National Centres of Excellence for Skilling

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
State-Specific Skilling Programs
India’s Global Skilling Initiatives

Despite various initiatives aimed at improving employment and skills in the nation, the government has not been successful in moving the needle. Interns, even after receiving training, often fail to meet industry standards or be considered employable. The infrastructure and training curriculum are outdated and irrelevant, leading to low placement rates. Many skilling initiatives result in duplication of efforts without actual systemic changes, and there is minimal accountability for how these efforts translate to employment. Furthermore, the private sector remains disengaged due to the lack of incentivized partnerships with the government, hindering collaboration in such initiatives.

Additionally, societal perceptions contribute to the challenge, as there is a belief that a student’s dignity is higher when enrolled in a high value-adding degree program than a skill enhancement training center—highlighted by the common comparison that an ITI is not the same as an IIT. To address these issues, establishing national centers of excellence for skilling could be explored to make Indian youth more skilled, employable, and industry-ready. Drawing parallels from the German dual vocational training system, it is essential to design an effective fund allocation system to ensure the success of these centers and bridge the gap between training and employability.

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