PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana: Skilling New Avenues of Empowerment

India has recently become the most populous nation in the world, surpassing China. Its population currently is estimated to be 1.42 billion. Out of which the most enthusing aspect is its youth population. The youth population in India is remarkably significant. As of now, India boasts the largest adolescent population in the world, with a staggering 253 million young people aged 10 to 19 years. Every fifth person in India falls within this age group. More than 50% of the population is below 25 years of age. Nearly 68% of the population is within the working age bracket of 16-64. It is a window of demographic opportunity that the country currently enjoys. The window would remain up until 2040 according to UNFPA’s estimates, after which the demographic advantage, would curve down.

This is an opportunity for us to tap into this ‘youthful bulge’ that can do wonders. But to utilise this we need to educate and adequately skill the population. The government since its inception has taken various steps to upskill, reskill, and recognise the existing skills of certain sections of society and youth in general. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PM-KVY) is one such scheme that was brought up in 2015, in assistance to skill the youth, which will provide certified opportunities for them in the market.

PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana isa flagship scheme of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, which is implemented by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). The main aim of this yojana is to enable the Indian youth to take up industry-relevant skills, refine them to the contemporary demand, and provide them a certification of excellence for their future livelihood opportunities.

The scheme is divided into three components

• Short-Term Training: this is a short-duration vocational training provided at the PM-KVY Training Centres, which is mainly targeting the school, college dropouts, or unemployed. Apart from the hard skills that are required for the technical part of the job, they are also provided with soft skills that may help them in their future career growth and professional prospects.

• Recognition of Prior Learning: Many individuals who have not received a formal education, but have certain job-related skills or have possessed those skills through an informal way of learning are recognised through this scheme. Project Implementing Agencies (PIA) designated by NSDC are given the responsibility to implement this part of the scheme. They also provide bridge courses to fill the knowledge gaps and the latest skill sets.

• Special Projects: The Special Projects envisage the creation of a platform that will facilitate training in special areas and/or premises of Government bodies, corporate or industry bodies, and training in special job roles that are not defined under the available Qualification Packs (QPs)/National Occupational Standards (NOS) of the scheme.

Impact of PM KVY

It has been nearly 9 years since the scheme was announced. In an impact evaluation survey, by NSDC, certain positive outcomes were visible. On being queried about their satisfaction with the STT program, more than 90 percent of the respondents reported being satisfied with the quality of trainers, adequacy of curriculum concerning the job role requirement, quality of training, the infrastructure of the centre, and the overall program. Also, 73 percent, acknowledged having benefitted from the program, mostly with an increase in self-confidence and improved technical knowledge. Development of entrepreneurial attitude, increased chances of employability, and improved interpersonal skills are the other key benefits, as seen in the chart.

Impact analysis of the effect of PMKVY certification and training on income was also done after matching the groups. The average monthly income level of STT-Trained and Certified was 15 percent higher than that of similar non-PMKVY individuals. Also, a difference of nine percent in average monthly income was found to be attributable to STT training per se. Income before training and the current income of STT participants were analysed for those who were employed at any time before enrolling in PMKVY. This showed a 52 percent and 42 percent change in income of STT-Trained and Certified and STT-Trained (but not certified) respondents, respectively.

Regarding the benefits, 87 percent STT certified respondents and 75 percent of trained agreed that PMKVY training has helped improve their ability to work in their current employment. 91 percent of non-PMKVY respondents believe that a training or capacity-building program related to their job role will be helpful for them to be better prepared for their current job or in becoming more employable. Further, 89 percent reported that training related to their job role would help them in increasing their income. The overall assessment is that there is a positive impact of the scheme not just in enhancing their skill sets, but also in giving an overall exposure to the current market realities and the contemporary needs.

A Bright Way Ahead Considering the scale of the youth population of this country, it is very interesting to know its strengths and weaknesses and objectively work on them. Equipping them with the right kind of skills, opportunities, and exposure to employment conditions and requirements, PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana rightly intervenes and bridges the gap. Recognising their prior work experience and chiselling out their expertise was a much-needed step towards acknowledging their labour in informal work settings. A truly skilled workforce of a nation acts as a force multiplier in many ways like driving economic growth, innovative ideas, technological leaps, adaptability to conditions, increased productivity, and aspirations to excel. Thus, a well-educated and updated skilled workforce would be the long-term churning machine for the nation that would lead us on the path of growth and prosperity.