Vocational education mission to have allocation of Rs 50

New Delhi, Feb 28 (UNI) The Finance Minister, Shri P. Chidambarak, has proposed to make an initial provision of Rs 50 crore for beginning work on Vocational Educational Mission. While presenting the Budget proposals in the Lok Sabha today, the Finance Minister observed that to sustain a high level of economic growth, it is essential have a reservoir of skilled and trained manpower.

Shortages have already emerged in a number of sectors. He said, ''we can advantage of demographic dividend thrown up by an increase in the working age population only if our young men and women have the required skills.'' Keeping in tune with the Prime Minister's announcement about the Vocational Education Mission, during the Independence Day address last year, Shri Chidambaram said that a Task Force in the Planning Commission is chalking out strategies for vocational education programme. Alternative models may be adopted but the approach will be based on public-private partnership, he added.

UNI