Over two months after the announcement, the government has given final shape to the ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship that will be a part of the ministry of sports and youth affairs.
Carved out after discussions with nearly two dozen ministries that are already involved in vocational training, the ministry of skill development has taken over key roles from the finance ministry as well as the labour ministry.
The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) that was until now housed under the department of economic affairs in the finance ministry has been handed over to the newly created ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship, along with the mandate for looking over the industrial training institutes — that has been with the labour ministry.
The National Skill Development Authority that is headed by S Ramadorai as well as a proposed National Skill Development Trust have also been transferred to the ministry of skill development.
Rajeev Gupta, secretary, department of youth affairs has been given additional charge of the department of skill development and entrepreneurship that is headed by minister of state (independent charge) Sarbananda Sonowal.
“Internationally, skilling and youth affairs are seen as related issues and so it was felt that the same can be done in India as well. The contours of the ministry were finalised after many rounds of discussions with all stake holders and the Prime Minister’s Office,” said a person familiar with the development.
The changes have come into effect following amendments to the Allocation of Business Rules of the government by the Cabinet Secretary last week.
Accordingly, the department of skill development has also been entrusted with the responsibility of computer education, framing policies for soft skills, introducing public private partnerships in the sector as well as ensuring the all important linkage with industry. Additionally, the new department has also been given the job of formulating the academic equivalence of skill sets, coordination with other ministries on skill development, expansion of youth entrepreneurship programmes and setting national standards for it as well as mapping and certification of skills across the country.
With a focus on creating a “Skilled India”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had set up the ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship on May 27 at the time of allocation of ministries.