Weekly Newsbytes from NSN on skill development and education – 25th March 2025

This week’s Newsbytes from NSN highlights key strides in skill development, including the launch of the PM Internship Scheme app, Telangana’s Industrial Roundtable on ITI modernization, and Future Skills Forum 2025, recognizing ITIs’ role in industry-driven training. Major updates include the ₹6,000 crore ‘Rajiv Yuva Vikasam’ scheme, India-Japan’s SSW pact for nursing jobs, and India’s $1 billion creator economy fund.

Also explore the latest advancements in skill development, from government policies and industry-driven skilling to key updates from NEP 2020, UGC, and NCVET. Stay informed on how these initiatives are shaping the future of education and employment in India.

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

This week’s highlights in skill education

• Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched a mobile app for the Prime Minister Internship Scheme, enabling Aadhaar-based registration and easy access to internship opportunities. Read more…
• The “Skilling Telangana for a Brighter Future: Industrial Roundtable”, organized by the Department of Employment and Training, focused on strengthening government-industry collaboration to modernize ITIs and enhance technical talent for manufacturing.
• Future Skills Forum 2025, marking the fifth anniversary of the Future Right Skills Network (FRSN), highlighted ITIs’ role in industry-driven training, with MSDE officials praising collaborative efforts in enhancing skill quality. Read more…
• NSDC and Quality Council of India (QCI) have signed an MoU to standardize skill development through quality frameworks, industry-aligned certification, and global compliance.

Skill development updates from the government

• The government of Telangana launched the ₹6,000 crore ‘Rajiv Yuva Vikasam’ scheme to provide jobs and financial aid to 5 lakh unemployed youth, focusing on SC, ST, BC, and Minority communities.
• MeitY and the Drone Federation of India launched the NIDAR challenge under the SwaYaan initiative to advance drone innovation in sectors like agriculture, healthcare, and logistics.
• The Uttar Pradesh government and Tata Technologies have upgraded 62 ITIs and five innovation centers to boost technical skills and employment opportunities.
• NIESBUD under the aegis of MSDE concluded a two-day Capacity Building Workshop focusing on financial inclusion, market access, and digital competence to boost entrepreneurial growth.
• MSDE held a “Kaushal Manthan” workshop in New Delhi, bringing together key stakeholders to discuss the performance, challenges, and future of PMKVY implementation.
• The Indian government announced a $1 billion fund to boost the creator economy, supporting digital content creators with capital, skill development, and global market access.
• India and Japan have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation under the Specified Skill Worker (SSW) Program, enabling nursing students from Tripura to secure high-paying jobs in Japan after completing language training.
• The Punjab government will introduce four new vocational courses in 40 schools under the Hunar Sikhiya Schools program, enrolling 6,400 students in digital marketing, finance, healthcare, and beauty and wellness.
• The Centre has sanctioned ₹2,361 crore for AP’s Samagra Shiksha programme and ₹454 crore under PM SHRI, including plans for 125 Autism Centres and four Regional Vocational Hubs for skill-based education.
• Maharashtra has signed an MoU with Germany’s Baden-Württemberg to enhance skill development and create employment opportunities through specialized training.
• India is expanding its AI capabilities under the ‘AI for All’ initiative, ranking among the top global leaders in AI skills and innovation while ensuring safe and inclusive AI adoption.

ASDC Invites RFP for National Automobile Olympiad

The Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC) is inviting proposals  for the National Automobile Olympiad from partners to collaborate in enhancing trainee assessment in the automotive sector. Eligible providers must submit their RFP with necessary documents by March 25, 2025 (4:00 PM). Click here to know more details and apply!

Job openings at NCVET

The Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) invites applications for two Executive Member positions at NCVET. The last date to apply is March 28, 2025 (5:30 PM).

For more details and to apply, click here!

Apprenticeship Opportunities

Here are the latest apprenticeship opportunities for March 2025, including openings in power, railways, and science sectors. Don’t miss out—click the link to explore details and apply!

IOCL (Marketing Division), Eastern Region, is inviting applications for Trade, Technician, and Graduate Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961, across multiple states and UTs. The last date to apply is March 28, 2025, by 11:59 PM.

Click here to know more – https://nationalskillsnetwork.in/apprenticeships-internships/

Skill development updates on CSR, Industry

• UNICEF YuWaah’s YouthHub and Gigin AI partnered to provide skilling and job opportunities for youth, enabling 500+ verified job placements since November 2024.
• NSDC partners with IIM Mumbai to launch certificate programs in Digital Marketing and Supply Chain Management, equipping professionals with industry-ready skills.
• Capri Loans Car Platform has partnered with CII to enhance skill development and employment through training programs for IGNOU distance learning students.
• Adani Group launched India’s largest ‘Skill and Employ’ program in partnership with IGCC to train talent for green energy, manufacturing, and high-tech industries under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
• A UK Skills and Chartered Bodies delegation met Odisha officials to explore collaborations in vocational education, apprenticeships, and industry-led skilling initiatives.
• BorderPlus has partnered with NSDC to provide German language training for Indian healthcare workers, enabling employment opportunities in Germany and the DACH region.
• Mr. Himanshu Shah advocates for establishing 20,000–30,000 community colleges in India over three years to enhance skill-based education and drive self-reliance.
• India’s renewable energy sector saw a 23.7% employment growth in FY24, driven by a youth-dominated contractual workforce, with projections moderating to 18.9% in FY25, according to a TeamLease study.
• Zinc Kaushal Kendra, Hindustan Zinc’s flagship skill initiative, has empowered 7,000+ rural youth, including 40% women, with job-ready skills, securing employment across India in sectors like security, retail, and microfinance.
• Movate Technologies and Ma Foi Foundation launched a Generative AI Lab at Mount Carmel College, Bangalore, to equip students with industry-relevant AI skills.

To know more, check out the latest updates on CSR and ESG initiatives that are creating a meaningful impact in skill development and education here: https://nationalskillsnetwork.in/csr-and-esg-in-skill-education/

Skilling and upskilling in academia and emerging technologies

• CSIR-IIIM Jammu and MSME launched a seven-day Advanced Entrepreneurship Skill Development Programme in Srinagar, focusing on medicinal plants, mushroom farming, and rural entrepreneurship.
• Nagaland launched a block-level training program for School Management Committees across 46 blocks to strengthen school governance under NEP 2020.
• The Bankers Institute of Rural and Entrepreneurship Development (BIRED) is offering 38-day free vocational training for unemployed youth from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh from April 7 to May 14 at its Hyderabad campus.
• IGNOU has extended the admission deadline for online and distance learning programs to March 31, except for certificate and semester courses, requiring candidates to have a DEB ID.
• Naya Raipur to launch a free Healthcare Skills Development Institute for rural and tribal girls, offering seven courses in collaboration with Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani.
• National PG College to introduce five new BVoc courses and industry-oriented certificates in 2025-26, including hotel management, physiotherapy, and hospital management.
• Sankalp Hub, under Mission Shakti Ganderbal, organized a Vocational Training program at ITI Ganderbal to educate youth on government schemes for skill development, entrepreneurship, and financial assistance.
• Three new vocational training centres will be established in Eastern West Khasi Hills, Meghalaya in 2025-26 to boost skill development in hospitality, IT, and traditional crafts, announced Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh at Skillerate Connect 2025.
• A UK Skills and Chartered Bodies delegation is in Odisha to explore collaborations on vocational education, UK-style apprenticeships, and industry-led skilling initiatives.