Weekly Newsbytes from NSN on skill development and education – 15th October 2024

In this week’s Newsbytes from NSN, we’re diving into the latest highlights focusing on the inauguration of Indian Institute of Skills (IIS) Mumbai, UGC has released draft guidelines for the Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programme, launch of Tech Mahindra SMART Academy for Digital Technologies, 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,

Expression of Interest (EOI) for Tools and Equipment for Practical Training

Are you planning to set up practical training labs for skill-based programs in rapidly growing sectors like Electric Vehicles (EV), Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems, and Semiconductors? Express your interest in setting up state-of-the-art labs for practical training by filling out the forms below:

Express your interest in setting up an Electric Vehicle (EV) Lab

Align your EV courses with industry demands by setting up an advanced lab. Equip your students with hands-on skills to excel in the growing EV sector. Fill out the EOI form for EV Lab setup: https://nationalskillsnetwork.in/oldsite/ev-tools-and-equipment-for-practical-training-express-your-interest-now/

Explore impactful ways to build a skilled semiconductor workforce

Please fill in the form to know more about practical training in semiconductors, state-of-the-art tools and equipment – https://nationalskillsnetwork.in/oldsite/why-building-a-skilled-workforce-is-key-to-indias-semiconductor-success/

Why a Solar Power System Lab is Essential

Please fill in the form to express your interest and to know more about practical training in solar PV course, state-of-the-art tools and equipment. https://nationalskillsnetwork.in/oldsite/practical-training-in-solar-pv-course-why-a-solar-power-system-lab-is-essential/

Updates from the MSDE, NSDC, NCVET, UGC

•  The Indian Institute of Skills (IIS) in Mumbai was inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 9th October 2024, a significant step in advancing the employability of India’s youth for national and global opportunities. Click here to read more…
• A new skills center in Kandivali (East) will offer industry-focused vocational training through a partnership between NSDC and BMC, initially providing five specialized courses to prepare youth for contemporary job demands.
• The NSDC’s Skill Impact Bond has trained over 29,000 first-time job seekers from low-income families, with 73% securing jobs, aiming to equip 50,000 young Indians, including 60% women.
• UGC has released draft guidelines for the Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programme (AEDP), set to launch in January-February 2025, aimed at enhancing employability through integrated apprenticeships in higher education institutions.
• India and Italy explored opportunities to strengthen collaboration in agriculture and allied sectors, focusing on areas such as technology transfer, sustainable farming, and food processing.

Stakeholder collaboration – Industry, Academia and Government

•  Tech Mahindra Foundation, in partnership with the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, has launched the Tech Mahindra SMART Academy for Digital Technologies to boost youth employability.
• Government High School (GHS), PWD, Kohima, held its first Innovative Skill Development Day, focusing on enhancing students’ problem-solving, productivity, and entrepreneurial skills.
• The Department of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, in collaboration with NID Ahmedabad, held a workshop to study and promote indigenous handicrafts and handlooms in Arunachal Pradesh, aiming to preserve local arts and bridge skill gaps.
• Government-sponsored apprenticeships surged by over 150% since 2019-20, with 8.5 lakh beneficiaries in 2023-24, as the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme expands to bridge skill gaps with formal credits under NEP 2020.
• Maharashtra’s first Centre of Excellence in Advanced Electronics Manufacturing at CoEP Technological University will begin hands-on training for 400-500 students annually from October 2024, expanding to both engineering and vocational students.
• Arunachal Pradesh is seeking collaboration with Australian institutions to enhance skill development for its youth, focusing on sectors like construction, hydropower, and infrastructure.
• Tata Steel Foundation and Punjab’s Department of Technical Education signed an MoU to boost technical education and employability skills at ITIs Gill Road and Samrala, including new Electrical Labs.
• France and India will establish an aeronautics cluster and an Indo-French campus for professional training in aeronautics and space, highlighting their long-standing strategic partnership in the defense and aerospace sectors.
• The Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute in Pampore held a valedictory function for its 30-day Intensive Sericulture Training Program and highlighted the initiative’s role in introducing innovative techniques to benefit silkworm rearers and farmers in Jammu & Kashmir.
• Delhi government school students will be participating in Germany’s prestigious dual vocational training program through a partnership with the Goethe Institute and German industries, starting with the ‘APAL’ project in 2025.
• The Telangana government’s Young India Skills University will begin offering four employment-focused courses in logistics, medical, health, and pharma, with classes initially held at the ESCI campus in Gachibowli.
• India’s first Centre of Excellence by AMHSSC was inaugurated in Kandivali, Mumbai focusing on skill development in the apparel and home furnishings industries.
• Diageo India, in partnership with SCPwD, trained and placed over 300 students in Food and Beverage Services, with a convocation held for the first 22 graduates in Bengaluru.
• Under MCL’s ‘SAKSHAM’ CSR initiative, 289 students from peripheral areas received job placements in leading industries, following skill development training in mining at NITCON Foundation.