National policy on skill development on anvil: Oscar Fernandes

New Delhi, Oct 23 (UNI) Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment Oscar Fernandes today said the draft "National Policy on skill Development", which would enable and anchor various initiatives and promote a coherent skill training implementation strategy, is ready for being placed before the Cabinet for approval.

Addressing the 37th meeting of National council for Vocational Training here today, Mr Fernandes said training and skill development is being given top priority by the highest level in the Government and it has now become a national agenda.

He said a new scheme called Skill Development Initiative has been launched by the Government to train one million people in the next five years and then one million every year.

Under the scheme, he said, training is provided in demand-driven short term courses which are based on Modular Employable Skills.

The training cost for the successful candidate is borne by the Central Government. Till date curricula of 340 modules have been developed, more than 60,000 people trained/tested and 2154 vocational training providers registered, Mr Fernandes added.

UNI/BKS SV SB KP1801