India holds the potential to emerge as the ‘skill hub’ of the world: Dharmendra Pradhan

Gandhinagar : Union Skill Development Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has said that India, boasting the largest youth population, holds the potential to emerge as the ‘skill hub’ of the world.

Speaking at a seminar on “Developing Global Network for Skill Development” at  the 10th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit at the Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, Pradhan said to elevate India’s skill ecosystem to international prominence, there is need to identify and address gaps by exploring new skills.

He further said that the government is taking several initiatives to prepare manpower for this skill gap and new technology. Result-oriented efforts are being put in this direction in Gujarat as well. Gujarat has developed a skill ecosystem in the last two decades keeping in view the current trends, the minister observed.

It would be fair to say that Gujarat is thinking one step ahead. Gujarat has been playing an important role in all areas of development for the past two decades in the development of the country. Gujarat is also at the forefront of other states in the country in creating a global network for skill development. Kaushalya The Skill University has signed MoUs with almost every skill development organization in the world.

Commending Kaushalya – The Skill University, the Cabinet Minister remarked that the institution in Gujarat is actively training youth in over 100 courses across six different branches, fostering new-age technological skills. He highlighted that Kaushalya – The Skill University has also entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with several renowned global skill development institutes.

In his address, Gujarat State Minister for Skill Development Kunvarji Halpati said that a global platform is being provided to the youth through skill development in Gujarat.

The state, he said, is the hub of industries including auto, ceramic, and pharmacy and in the near future.  Gujarat is also rapidly moving towards becoming a semicon hub, he said, adding that because of flagship events like the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, several international entrepreneurs are investing in Gujarat.

The Gujarat government has taken several innovative measures to ensure that these industries get the skilled manpower they require including Kaushalya University, KVK Saksham Yojana Mukhyamantri Bhavishyalakshi Kaushalya including Mukhyamantri Skill Initiative have been implemented. Apart from this, special initiatives include Mini ITIs at the village level, and Mega ITIs to further develop Industry 4.0 skills. Moreover, for the past several years, Gujarat has been the first in the country to employ the youth, he pointed out.

Giovanni Crisona, chairman of Skillman International, Germany, highlighted advanced manufacturing with a Global Skills Network connection. He further said that his organization is working to prepare next-level skill development programs through creative design, principles, and solutions with the aid of world experts.

Ved Mani Tiwari, managing director of NSDC provided essential information regarding how the Government of India and the Government of Gujarat both are working on the issue of skill mobility emphasizing skill development to fulfill the concept of ‘AtmaNirbhar Bharat’ and Viksit Bharat of the Prime Minister.