Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, has called for a paradigm shift in India’s skilling ecosystem, emphasizing that rigid, prescriptive models must give way to adaptive, locally-driven approaches that reflect regional economic realities and the aspirations of youth.
Speaking at the Kaushal Manthan Regional Workshop held at Kanha Shanti Vanam in Hyderabad, the Minister outlined a bold, decentralized roadmap to reimagine skilling in India. “Skill development cannot have prescriptive templates,” he said. “We must empower states to craft solutions rooted in their local contexts. Only then can we achieve sustainable transformation.”
New Centres of Excellence and Certification Mandate
In line with this vision, the Minister announced the establishment of two new Centres of Excellence (CoEs)—among five proposed nationally—at National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) in Hyderabad and Chennai. These will serve as flagship hubs for cutting-edge skilling and instructor training in emerging sectors.
To ensure quality training across the country, Shri Chaudhary directed that CITS (Craft Instructor Training Scheme) certification be made mandatory for all new instructors, especially in recently launched Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). He also urged states to amend Recruitment Rules (RRs) to align with NCVT norms, ensuring consistency and instructional excellence nationwide.
Skill Gap Study and Evidence-Based Planning
Marking a key milestone, the Minister launched the National Skill Gap Study undertaken by the National Council for Applied Economic Research (NCAER) under the MSDE’s SANKALP scheme. The study analyzed seven high-growth sectors and aims to equip states with a dynamic, data-driven framework for localized skill demand assessments.
Shri Chaudhary encouraged district-level skilling plans informed by granular data and created in coordination with district collectors and experts like the World Bank. He advocated for greater faculty development, improved institutional capacity, and competitive remuneration for trainers.
Rural Innovation: Biochar Entrepreneurship Program
In a significant move towards rural skilling and green enterprise, the Minister also inaugurated the first Rural Entrepreneurship Training Program on Biochar at the Biochar Center of Excellence in Kanha Shanti Vanam. This initiative aims to create local livelihoods by training rural youth in biochar production, application, and marketing.
Each trained entrepreneur will establish a biochar unit in their village, potentially generating employment for 4–8 people seasonally. The model is designed to be financially self-sustaining by its second year through product sales and carbon credit monetization. Government-backed capital support, Shri Chaudhary added, could help scale this innovation and promote regenerative agriculture.
Centre-State Collaboration and Regional Voices
The workshop, part of the Viksit Bharat @2047 vision, saw participation from over 120 delegates, including state ministers, secretaries, regional directors, and officials from the MSDE ecosystem. Sessions focused on upgrading ITIs, leveraging the Skill India Digital Hub, expanding apprenticeship programs, and integrating skilling with entrepreneurship and formal education.
Highlights from States:
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Andaman & Nicobar Islands – Lt. Governor D.K. Joshi highlighted major infrastructure projects including the Great Nicobar transshipment terminal and upcoming greenfield airports, noting the alignment between development and skilling in logistics and marine trades.
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Karnataka – Dr. Sharanprakash R. Patil, Minister for Skill Development, spoke of the state’s pioneering approach through 270 ITIs and international placement programs in sectors like nursing and foreign languages.
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Kerala – Minister V. Sivankutty stressed quality training and relevance through institutions like the Kerala Academy for Skills Excellence, calling for continued national support for port and logistics skilling initiatives.
Impact in Numbers
Since 2015, over 27.8 lakh candidates have been trained under PMKVY across the southern region. Under the Jan Shikshan Sansthan scheme, over 4.85 lakh individuals—primarily women—have received training. The National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) has engaged more than 10 lakh apprentices since 2018-19, with ₹215 crore disbursed via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
The Road Ahead
The workshop reflected a growing consensus that outcome-based, region-specific strategies are crucial for transforming India’s skill development landscape. With rising economic complexities and shifting labor dynamics, Shri Jayant Chaudhary’s push for flexible, data-backed, and inclusive skilling ecosystems comes at a crucial juncture in India’s development journey.
As India marches toward its 2047 development goals, these reforms promise to make its workforce future-ready, globally competitive, and locally empowered.
