Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Discussed Challenges & Opportunities in Entrepreneurship Development and Employability

On the first anniversary of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, mapping a vital shift in India’s education system, a webinar on the theme ‘Skills, Entrepreneurship Development and Employability: Challenges & Opportunities’ was organized today by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). Minister of State, MSDE Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar delivered his keynote address on the occasion as a chief guest. The occasion was also graced by the presence of notable speakers including Mr. Raj Nehru, Vice Chancellor, Vishwakarma Skill Development University, Government of Haryana; Dr. Nirmaljeet Singh Kalsi, Chairperson, NCVET; Shri Manoj Ahuja, Chairman, CBSE; Ms. Jahnabi Phookan, involved in Entrepreneurship Advocacy in Northeast and Ms. Anuradha Vemuri, Joint Secretary, MSDE.

Addressing the participants Shri Chandrashekhar said that as we celebrate the one year of NEP 2020, five years of Skill Development and 75 years of Independence, the Government is committed to ensure the academic welfare and bright future of the students. The Minister said that in line with the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, National Education Policy is transformational and with the curricular integration of vocational training, it will create attractive career platforms for students. He informed that Skill ministry is closely working with Ministry of Education to make PM’s vision of skilling, reskilling and upskilling for our youth a success.

Speaking on the occasion Shri Ravi Mital, Secretary, MSDE, said that the implementation of National Education Policy 2020 is crucial in integrating vocational and formal education. The policy provides us a roadmap to introduce steady reforms, he added. Shri Mittal hoped that with this vision document, the more fundamental reforms will take place in our education system.

The discussion focused on the alignment of NEP 2020 with the skill and entrepreneurship initiatives of MSDE with an aim to make vocational education aspirational. MSDE seeks to provide skill training to facilitate employability of youth and equip them to take up market driven employment options. Towards this, the ministry is implementing various schemes and programmes for creating a necessary ecosystem for skill development and entrepreneurship promotion through short-term and long-term skill trainings.

Skill development and entrepreneurial policies have been developed within the context of India’s unique demographic profile and nature of workforce. India is home to the second largest population in the world, with over 50% of India’s population below the age of 25. As per available data, by 2030, the country will have the world’s youngest and largest workforce, exceeding one billion. With almost 80% of the workforce informally employed, it is important to improve employment opportunities through targeted skilling and employment generation initiatives.