The Indian Skill Development sector is at a crucial juncture right now. Right from policies to schemes, from methods to processes and from people to institutions, all facets of the skilling ecosystem are undergoing a transition. Shift of focus towards skilling in the country is largely to be attributed to creation of a dedicated Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and the launch of Skill India Mission.
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Rajiv Sharma, President, ASTP
Seeds for germination of ASTP were sown around then as well. The broad founding idea was to provide an enabling platform for implementation partners across the country to deliberate on issues of common concern, as members together.
In the past two years, ASTP has gained tremendous traction and represents the TPs perspective on platforms such as Common Norms Committee, PMKVY Steering Committee among others. We meet NSDC on a monthly basis to put forth both strategic ideas as well as resolve transactional issues. ASTP has also submitted numerous representations to Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Finance and State Skill Missions. In the long run, these interventions would reap their fruits for the entire skill ecosystem.
Going forward, the vision is to become the voice of the entire skill ecosystem. We have to increase our membership base and make ourselves not only sustainable but also self-regulatory. In this financial year, the focus will be to engage with multiple stakeholders like SSCs, DGET, NITI Aayog and International Organisations. We have successfully crafted our “Mission Vision Values (MVV)” Statement under the able guidance of Mr. Subroto Bagchi (Honorary Chairman of Odisha Skill Development Authority). Mr. Bagchi has very graciously volunteered to mentor ASTP as he envisions us to become what NASSCOM is for the IT industry.
This newsletter is in fact the product of the MVV Exercise that the Board engaged in December 2017 with Mr. Bagchi. I would like to congratulate everyone who has been a part of ASTP’s journey!
Cheers!
Rajiv Sharma
President, ASTP and MD & Founder, Empower Pragati
