MES launched in Karnataka to provide marketable skills

Bangalore, Dec 20(UNI) The Union Government's Modular Employable Scheme (MES) was launched in Karnataka today to provide marketable skills to uneducated and educated youth with the public-private participation.

MES Incharge of Karnataka S J Amalan said that the scheme would be introduced in ten districts of the state on a pilot-base and would be extended to all the districts later.

The scheme plans to train 5,00,000 candidates in the next 15 months in both manufacturing and service sectors in the state, he said adding that the districts to be covered on the pilot-base are Bangalore East, Bangalore West, Bangalore North, Bangalore South, Bangalore Central, Kolar, Dharwad, Belgaum, Chikaballapur and Ramanagar.

Mr Amalan said that the scheme presently comprises 217 modules like electronics, automobile, garment making, plastic processing and retail from 40 sectors.

More than 230 industry have become the members of the scheme to provide training to the candidates in the state, he added.

Advisor to Karnataka Governor P P Prabhu inaugurating the scheme said that there was a need to change the concept in implementing the scheme with an innovative approach for devolution of power and funds.

Appreciating the scheme, he said that it should not become a non-starter for want of funds and authority.

The Centre with a fund of Rs 550 crore for the project in the next five years plans to provide training to one million persons in various modules in both manufacturing and service sectors.

The scheme is already introduced in some states like Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.

UNI