Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) is a flagship scheme of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India, aimed at encouraging and promoting skill development for the youth across the country. The main goal is to provide industry-relevant skills to the youth, enhancing their employability and creating opportunities for sustainable livelihoods. The scheme was launched in 2015 under the Skill India Mission.
Key Objectives:
- Skill Development: To provide quality training to a large number of youth, making them job-ready by equipping them with skills that are relevant to industry needs.
- Certification and Monetary Reward: Trainees who complete the training are awarded certificates, along with a monetary reward to encourage further development.
- Increased Employment Opportunities: The scheme focuses on improving the employability of the youth by aligning the training programs with the needs of various industries.
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): This initiative under PMKVY recognizes the skills acquired by individuals through informal learning and awards them with a certificate that improves their employability.
- Focus on Special Groups: Special emphasis is given to vulnerable and marginalized groups, including women, persons with disabilities, and backward communities.
Key Features:
- Short-Term Training (STT): The scheme offers short-term training courses, typically ranging from 150 to 300 hours, for individuals who are either school dropouts or unemployed. These courses focus on imparting industry-relevant skills.
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): This component of PMKVY is designed for individuals with prior skills or work experience but without formal certification. Under RPL, their skills are assessed, and they are provided with certification for the same.
- Special Projects: These are undertaken to address the needs of certain sectors or groups not covered under standard courses. It includes areas like government bodies or specific geographic areas where customized training may be required.
- Skill Certification: On successful completion of the training and assessment, candidates are awarded a government-recognized certificate.
- Placement and Entrepreneurship Support: PMKVY provides placement assistance and connects the trainees to job opportunities. In some cases, entrepreneurship support is also provided.
Implementation:
PMKVY is implemented by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), which works in collaboration with various training partners, state governments, and sector skill councils (SSCs). The program also involves Training Centers (TCs), which are certified institutions that provide training to participants in various sectors.
Key Components:
- Training Partners and Centers: Authorized by the government to deliver skill-based training.
- Sector Skill Councils (SSCs): Industry-led bodies responsible for defining training and certification standards.
- Target Beneficiaries: Youth in the age group of 15 to 45 years, especially those from underprivileged sections of society, including school dropouts, unemployed individuals, and economically disadvantaged groups.
Monitoring and Evaluation:
A robust monitoring system is in place to ensure transparency and accountability when implementing PMKVY. The government uses real-time monitoring, which includes physical inspections of training centers, feedback from trainees, and tracking of post-certification employment outcomes.
Funding:
The Government of India fully funds the scheme, and the government bears training costs for the courses. This makes the scheme accessible to all individuals, especially those from economically weaker sections.
Achievements:
Since its inception, PMKVY has trained millions of candidates across various sectors such as construction, retail, healthcare, hospitality, and information technology. It has helped bridge the skills gap in the country and contributed to economic growth by developing a skilled workforce.
PMKVY 3.0:
The latest phase, PMKVY 3.0, launched in January 2021, focuses on strengthening local skills ecosystems by providing greater autonomy to states for implementation. It also emphasizes digital learning and training in emerging sectors like artificial intelligence, data analytics, and robotics.
