MSDE Promotes Lifelong Learning and Entrepreneurship

Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Jayant Chaudhary attended the open house ‘Kaushal Samwad’ to celebrate World Youth Skills Day, globally recognised by the United Nations. The Minister also interacted with professionals and their trainers who have been trained in various skills through various Skill India schemes and programmes during the event. The day also marked the 10th anniversary of the Skill India Mission. Mr Chaudhary and MSDE Secretary Atul Kumar Tiwari planted a tree on the premises of Kaushal Bhawan, symbolising growth and talent nurturing.

Speaking on the occasion, Jayant Chaudhary lauded the ongoing efforts being made by the Ministry to strengthen the skilling, education and entrepreneurship ecosystem in India.The role of youth skilling in peace building and sustainable development is crucial, meeting the demand for skilled professionals across industries and addressing issues on a global platform, he said.

Chaudhary also said that the Ministry is committed to making lifelong learning a basic necessity for young talent and equipping individuals with diverse skill sets right from the school level, which is an important step in line with the new National Education Policy. He added that events like Kaushal Samwaad will promote innovation, intensive training, employability and entrepreneurship and inspire young talent to excel in their chosen fields and contribute to the socio-economic growth of the country.

Minister Atul Kumar Tiwari said that as a key step towards achieving the vision of a self-reliant India, the Ministry is focusing on connecting the youth with skill development and equipping them with both skills and education. He said that over 1.4 million youth have been trained under the Prime Minister’s Office and over 3.3 million candidates have been employed as apprentices. The Ministry is upgrading several skill training institutes to impart quality training and partnering with prominent ministries and industry partners to enhance employability and pave the way for more job opportunities in the global market, Tiwari added.

The event was attended by key stakeholders including Director General MSDE Atul Kumar Tiwari, Senior Economic Advisor MSDE Nilambuj Sharan, Director Training MSDE Trishaljit Sethi, Joint Secretary and Financial Advisor MSDE Madhumita Das, Joint Secretary MSDE Sonal Mishra, Joint Secretary MSDE Hena Usman and CEO NSDC and Managing Director NSDC International Ved Mani Tiwari.

The young professionals in attendance were beneficiaries/candidates of schemes like PMKVY (Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana), PM Vishwakarma, NAPS (National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme), Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) and others represented successful entrepreneurs of NIESBUD (National Institute of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development), SANKALP (Skill Acquisition and Knowledge Empowerment for Livelihood Promotion), students of ITIs (Industrial Training Institutes) etc. The candidates shared their learning experiences with the Minister and emphasised the importance of skilling for wider employment opportunities and entrepreneurship. Their stories vividly illustrated transformation. Each of them narrated how skill development not only transformed their future but also ignited their passion and drive. The skill trainers who mentored them were also present at the event.

Candidates who attended the event were trained in a variety of traditional and new-age roles such as Kisan Drone Operator, Beautician, Goldsmith, German Teacher, Japanese Teacher, Solar Power Installer, Airline Customer Service Representative, HVAC Technician and Travel Hospitality Specialist. The inclusion of women in traditionally male dominated roles such as Carpentry and Automotive is a testament to the Ministry’s efforts to foster an inclusive and diverse workforce. Candidates from Chennai, Srinagar, Guwahati, Ladakh and Kashmir also participated virtually and shared their experiences with everyone.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has highlighted the importance of skilling and the pivotal role it plays in shaping India’s future. To further this vision, MSDE has played a pivotal role in building a comprehensive skilling ecosystem to enhance employability and foster a culture of entrepreneurship among the Indian youth. In the past nine years, MSDE has significantly expanded its reach and effectiveness. The Directorate General of Training (DGT) has revitalized the Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), increasing their number by 5,000 in the past decade. National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) have grown, of which 19 are women-only. Notable reforms include decentralization of skill development through State Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Boards, and reducing result processing time by moving from traditional exams to computer-based tests.

Collaborative efforts have resulted in numerous MoUs being signed and enhanced training and certification. These initiatives, along with the introduction of new age courses and infrastructure upgradation, underscore MSDE’s ongoing commitment towards skill development across India.

Continuing this tradition, the Ministry is also working to expand collaboration with advanced options such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and the Internet of Things (IoT) in its training programs. This forward-thinking approach will better prepare India’s youth to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving job market.