Weekly Newsbytes on skills and education

In this week’s Newsbytes from NSN, we’re diving into the latest highlights, focusing on the launch of the AICTE new model curriculum for Textile Engineering, skill voucher system, the launch of PM Internship Scheme, the skill upgradation training program on handmade knitting and embroidery, and more. We’ll also explore exclusive insights from the forefront of skill development, covering everything from groundbreaking initiatives to emerging trends in technology, NEP 2020, UGC, NCVET, and more.

Here we go with this week’s edition of our weekly newsbytes,

Why human skills matter most in the age of AI
DIDAC INDIA 2024 is catalyzing transnational partnerships, uniting countries through education and skills.
In line with this, Renata Sguario, Founder and CEO of Maxme, emphasizes the importance of human skills in the age of AI. In the above video, Renata Sguario discusses how skills such as communication, creativity, and emotional intelligence enable individuals to adapt and thrive in tech-driven workplaces. Upskilling through interactive, gamified learning is vital for maximizing potential.

Updates from the MSDE, NSDC, NCVET, UGC

The government plans to launch a skill voucher system and upgrade 1,000 ITIs, with 200 set to become hub institutions, to boost India’s skill development ecosystem.
PMKVY 4.0 training program was launched in Kohima focusing on skill development for mobile phone hardware repair technicians, assistant installation computing and peripherals and drone service technicians.
The Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme was recently launched to provide internship opportunities to one crore young individuals in the top 500 companies over the next five years, opening up an unprecedented path for career growth and skills development. Read more...
The government has launched 30 Entrepreneurship Development Centers in Northeast India to empower youth and boost economic growth.
Knauf has launched its first training academy in Gorakhpur to upskill the construction workforce in drywall and ceiling installations, in collaboration with Pratham and the NSDC.
The Department of School Education & Literacy hosted a two-day STARS workshop in Bhopal, focusing on School-to-Work Transition and Assessment Systems, to enhance educational outcomes for future workforce readiness.

NEP 2020 – The Game Changer for Indo-German Collaboration Webinar Series
iMOVE Germany, in collaboration with National Skills Network (NSN), organized a webinar series titled ‘NEP 2020 – The Game Changer for Indo-German Collaboration’ on 24th September 2024 and 1st October 2024.
The webinar series brought together institutions and organizations from India and Germany’s TVET and skill education ecosystems, sparking new ideas and fostering partnerships under the transformative framework of NEP 2020.
You can now watch the recorded webinars for both sessions on our YouTube channel. Check out the links below to watch!
Click here to watch session 1- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYuucHggDzQ
Click here to watch session 2- https://www.youtube.com/live/ZJkusLG8U0A

Stakeholder collaboration – Industry, Academia and Government

The Telangana government announced the establishment of skill development colleges in every district and the Skill University of Telangana, set to offer admissions from this academic year.
ASDC highlights the need for an industry-ready workforce to meet the growing global demand for engineering services in modern vehicle technologies.
The Deen Dayal Upadhyay Community College for skill development hosted a six-day skill upgradation training program on handmade knitting and embroidery to empower the youth by equipping them with vocational skills.
Fifteen trainees under Uttarakhand’s Mukhya Mantri Kaushal Unnayan and Vaishvik Rojgar Yojana have secured nursing jobs in Germany with salaries up to Rs 3.5 lakh before completing their training.
ASDC has launched a program to train 10% of India’s gig workers, focusing on soft skills, road safety, and benefits for marginalized communities, especially in the EV segment.
Public sector banks like Union Bank, Canara Bank, and Indian Overseas Bank are hiring apprentices for the first time, recruiting thousands of graduates under apprenticeship programs with stipends up to Rs 15,000.
KITE, Kerala’s state-run tech arm, has launched an initiative to guide over 8,00,000 public school students in preparing for undergraduate entrance exams.
The Uttar Pradesh government aims to train one lakh students this year under its “Project Praveen” initiative, providing short-term vocational skill training to Classes 9-12 for enhanced employability.
Cotton University hosted the 3rd India-Japan Education Conclave, bringing together educationists and policymakers to strengthen bilateral educational ties between India and Japan.
AIIMS Delhi has announced a plan to set up the largest Research and Skill Development Training Center to enhance medical education, research capabilities and infrastructure of the institution.
NTPC Unchahar, in collaboration with CIPET Lucknow, provided job offers to 60 rural youths after completing a skill development program under its CSR initiative.
Five ITIs in Punjab will undergo major transformations to provide 5,000 jobs annually, following an MoU signed between the state’s Department of Technical Education and MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney.
The Global Skill Park has partnered with industries to understand their demands and address the skill gap by introducing new courses aimed at developing a talent pool in the most in-demand trades.
The Andhra Pradesh government launched the pilot ‘Skill Census’ project in Mangalagiri to identify and nurture youth skills, aiming to enhance job opportunities with 200 trained enumerators deployed in the region.
Airblack celebrated the graduation of over 800 aspiring makeup artists from 300 cities, marking India’s largest beauty graduation ceremony and underscoring its commitment to enhancing the beauty and wellness workforce.
Punjab’s ITIs have experienced a remarkable 25% increase in admissions this academic year, rising from 28,000 to 35,000.
A two-month free Course on Computer Concepts (CCC) was launched at Government ITI Yupia to train 37 ITI trainees in essential computer skills for IT job readiness.
TP Western Odisha Distribution Limited (TPWODL) has launched a 19-day technical training program at Government ITIs in Rourkela to equip 34 students with industry-relevant skills for the power sector.
The Maharashtra cabinet has taken a decision to name 26 government ITIs after social reformers and personalities who have contributed significantly to the sector.
Saint-Gobain Gyproc India has launched its ninth training center in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, to provide free training in Drywall and False-Ceiling trades for enhanced employment opportunities.

Skilling and Upskilling in Emerging Technologies

AICTE has launched a new Model Curriculum for Textile Engineering, blending theoretical and practical skills to align education with advancements like nanotechnology, AI, and sustainability in the textile industry.
BITS Pilani and IIT Bombay have signed an MoU to collaborate on research, innovation, and skill development, focusing on industry challenges and technological advancements.