Introduction
India is a young country, where about 65% of the population is below the age of 35 years. Making this youth power employment-oriented and making them self-reliant by training them is a big challenge. To fulfil this objective, the Government of India has started the Kaushal Vikas Yojana. Under this scheme, modern and vocational training is provided to the youth so that they can get employment in the country and abroad or start their own business.
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) was launched in the year 2015 and is run by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). This scheme is implemented through the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).
Objective of Kaushal Vikas Yojana
- To train unemployed youth and make them employable.
- To create a skilled workforce in the country.
- To motivate youth for startups and self-employment by making them self-reliant.
- To bring balance in demand and supply by providing training as per the requirements of industries.
- To recognise youth through short-term skill training and RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning).
Main features of training under Kaushal Vikas Yojana
- Short Term Training:
Courses range from 3 months to 1 year.
In this, training is given in Basic, Advanced and Soft Skills.
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
People who already have work experience but do not have a certificate are provided a certificate after the test and verification.
- Special Projects:
Special training programs for special communities like prisoners in jail, tribal communities, transgender etc.
- Kaushal and Rozgar Mela:
Organisation of employment fairs at the local level from time to time.
- Placement Assistance:
Those who complete the training get assistance in placement.
Course Categories under Kaushal Vikas Yojana
There are around 250+ courses available under various Sector Skill Councils (SSC) in PMKVY. Some of the major course categories are as follows:
IT & ITES
Data Entry Operator, Digital Marketing
Electronics & Hardware
Mobile Repairing, CCTV Installation
Beauty & Wellness
Beautician, Hair Styling
Tourism & Hospitality
Housekeeping, Front Office Assistant
Construction
Welding, Electrician
Healthcare
General Duty Assistant, Lab Technician
Agro-Based Industries
Organic Farming, Dairy Processing
Who is eligible for this scheme (Eligibility Criteria)
The following qualifications are required to take training under Kaushal Vikas Yojana:
- Age limit: Between 15 to 45 years.
- Educational qualification: Any student from at least the 5th class to a graduate.
- Employment status: Unemployed or underemployed youth.
- Identity card: Aadhar card mandatory.
- Bank account: A Bank account is required to receive the stipend or travel allowance under the scheme.
- Should not have participated in any skill training before.
Benefits of Kaushal Vikas Yojana
1.Free training:
Youth do not have to pay any kind of fee.
2. Government certificate:
After completing the training, a certificate recognised by the government is provided.
3.Employment opportunities:
Training centres connect youth with companies and help with placement.
4.Stipend and travel allowance:
Stipend and travel allowance are also given under some courses.
5. Development of digital skills:
Training is also provided about digital literacy and e-governance.
6. Incentive for self-employment:
After training, youth can also start their own small business.
How to Apply under Kaushal Vikas Yojana
- Online Application Process:
- Visit the PMKVY website: https://www.pmkvyofficial.org
- Click on Register Now.
- Fill in the required details like name, age, educational qualification, course selection, etc.
- Select the training centre that is near you.
- Upload your identity card and certificate.
Offline Application:
- You can fill out the form by visiting your nearest PMKVY Training Centre.
- You will also be given career counselling there.
Certification and Assessment
After completing the training, an assessment is conducted by a third-party assessor. Passing the assessment awards a certificate, which is recognised by the Government of India.
Some major training providers
- National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)
- Skill India Digital Platform
- ITIs (Industrial Training Institutes)
- Private training institutes recognised by NSDC
Success and statistics of the scheme
- So far, more than 1.4 crore youth have been trained under this scheme.
- 700+ districts have been covered under PMKVY.
- About 40% of the trained youth have successfully found employment.
Challenges and directions for improvement
Challenges:
- Not all youth get placement.
- Lack of training quality was seen at some places.
- Lack of awareness in rural areas.
Improvement:
- Monitoring of training centres is being increased.
- Better courses are being made available through digital platforms.
- Partnerships with the industry are being promoted.
Conclusion
Kaushal Vikas Yojana is not only helping in providing employment to the youth, but it is also strengthening the country’s economy. Only an educated and trained youth force can take India towards “Viksit Bharat 2047”. In such a situation, all the youth should take advantage of this scheme and move towards a self-reliant India.
FAQs – Kaushal Vikas Yojana
- What is Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)?
Answer: It is a scheme of the Government of India which aims to provide industry-based skill training to the youth so that they can become employable or start their own business.
- What courses are available under this scheme?
Answer: The scheme offers 250+ courses in IT, electronics, beauty and wellness, healthcare, tourism, agro-based and other sectors.
- Is there any fee to be paid for the training?
Answer: No, training under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana is completely free.
- Can any person avail of the benefits of this scheme?
Answer: Youth between 15 and 45 years of age who are unemployed or underemployed and who have not participated in any skill training course before can avail the benefits of this scheme.
- Do you get a government certificate after the training?
Answer: Yes, after completing the course and passing the assessment, a certificate recognised by the Government of India is given.
- How to apply?
Answer: You can apply online by visiting the website www.pmkvyofficial.org or fill out the offline form by visiting your nearest training centre.
- Is a placement facility available under PMKVY?
Answer: Yes, under the scheme, successfully trained youth are helped in getting employment. Training centres contact companies and provide placement support.
- Can women also take advantage of this scheme?
Answer: Absolutely, this scheme is also for women and is a powerful medium towards making them self-reliant. Some training centres also run special batches for women.
- What is the duration of training?
Answer: The duration of the course usually ranges from 3 months to 1 year, depending on the nature and category of the course.
- If someone already has the skill, can they also get a certificate?
Answer: Yes, under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), one can obtain a certificate by taking a test without taking any training.