MES launched in K'taka to provide marketable skills

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

MES State Incharge S J Amalan said the scheme would be introduced in ten districts on a pilot-basis and extended across the state 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 were Bangalore East, Bangalore West, Bangalore North, Bangalore South, Bangalore Central, Kolar, Dharwad, Belgaum, Chikaballapur and Ramanagar.

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

More than 230 industries have become 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 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 it should not become a non-starter for want of funds and authority.

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

The scheme is already introduced in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.

UNI