As a major step towards strengthening the evolving skill development ecosystem in India, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has issued the notification of forming the Indian Skill Development Services (ISDS). This service is intended to support the Training Directorate of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
Highlights of ISDS
The Indian Skill Development Service (ISDS) will have 263 all India posts. This comprises
- 3 posts at Senior Administrative Grade
- 28 posts at Junior Administrative Grade
- 120 posts at Senior Time Scale
- 112 posts at Junior Time Scale.
The Academy for training of the cadre will be National Institute of Skill Development.
The purpose of instituting a formal service in Group ‘A’ category was initiated almost two years back when the Ministry was formed and the union cabinet approved its creation on October 7, 2015. With notification of this service the skill ecosystem is expected to get strengthened and modernised in line with the current scientific and industrial development in the country.Indian Skill Development Service (ISDS)
ISDS will be a Group ‘A’ service where induction will take place through Indian Engineering Service Examination conducted by UPSC. It is an attempt to attract young and talented administrators for Skill Development. The knowledge acquired by the engineers recruited will give new impetus to the initiative of the government to the skill development and also efficient and effective implementation of the schemes. In years to come the ministry will be able to create a workforce of trained skill administrators who will enable us to achieve the goal of increased skilled youths. Administered training is paramount to face big challenge of skilling Indians. Under the leadership of Prime Minister skill development has taken a priority with a hope that Skill India mission will supply huge human resource not only in India but also Internationally. This is a step forward to meet the target of skilling 500 million people by 2022.
ISDS Training Directorate
The Training Directorate is involved in implementation of various schemes like Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) covering 126 trades, Apprenticeship Training Scheme (ATS) covering 259 trades and Skill Development Initiative Scheme (SDIS) for the Modular Employable Skill (MES) covering 578 modules. The Training Directorate also conducts examinations and awards certificates under National Council of Vocational Training (NCVT), they also organise advance skill training supervisory training staff training through its various field institutes spread across country.
(This article is based on a Press Release from MSDE, Government of India)
I can’t see as to how this would strengthen the Skills Development. We need much more deeper and systemic changes to inetgrate skilling into our formal education system. Treating Skilling as distinct from education will not lead us anywhere. They will be afflicted with the same ills as that of IAS, IES.
Government needs to make integrated plan at three levels:
Long term- Strengthen Primary education (Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking and numeracy skills). Create vocational paths. at High school level.
Medium Term
Short term: Promote Community Colleges, B.Voc. (And not DDU-Kayshal Kendras). Remove corruption at district levels to promote apprenticeship (The officers charge as much as Rs. 5000/0 for student registration for students in many places.). A single NSDC level body with centralised planning can not be agile enough to support the entire country. Provide funding to SSCs to ensure they have deeper competence, spend money on meaningful ToTs etc. Get MHRD and MSDE to have serious engagement. Similarly State Skill Missions and State level Education ministry and State Education Boards.