Weekly Newsbytes from NSN on skill development and education – 28th January 2025

In this week’s Newsbytes from NSN, we’re diving into the latest highlights focusing on India’s presence at WEF 2025, India-Korea’s TVET Mechatronics Project, Sikkim’s Green Skill Development Programme, Telangana’s partnership with Singapore to establish the Young India Skill University, and the National Apprenticeship Training Program in Bihar, empowering 60,000 students, and more. Also explore more insights from the forefront of skill development, where we cover everything from groundbreaking initiatives to emerging trends in technology, NEP 2020, UGC, CSR, NCVET and more.

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

Skill development updates from the government

• India’s Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, represents the nation at World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2025 in Davos, focusing on skills, innovation, and sustainable growth.
• At WEF Davos, Shri Jayant Chaudhary and Meta’s Nick Clegg discuss launching Skill India Assistant, an AI-powered tool for personalized learning and career guidance.
• At a CII session in Davos, Telangana IT Minister D Sridhar Babu emphasized skill development and innovation through initiatives like Skills’ University to boost Global Capability Centres (GCCs).
• At Davos 2025, Shri Jayant Chaudhary urged corporate India to prioritize skill-based hiring, emphasizing India’s leadership with 16% of the global AI-skilled workforce.
• Union Minister Shri Jayant Chaudhary announces a new trade agreement with a European bloc, set to bring USD 100 billion investment and create one million jobs in India.
• India and Korea has partnered to launch the TVET Mechatronics Project under a strategic skill development partnership, focusing on advanced technical training and sustainable growth.
• The Meghalaya government and NSE launch a Student Skilling Programme in Shillong, focusing on BFSI sector training and career readiness.
• The government of Telangana signs an agreement with Singapore ITE to boost skill development initiatives and establish the Young India Skill University, fostering global collaboration.
• The Odisha government partners with ITE Education Services to expand the World Skill Centre in Bhubaneswar and establish a world-class IT and ITES hub focusing on emerging technologies.
• Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda inaugurates key facilities at CIPET Ahmedabad, including a Calibration Laboratory, Skilling Centre, and Plastic Waste Management Centre, emphasizing the role of skill, speed, and scale in industrial growth.
• The government of Sikkim has inaugurated the Green Skill Development Programme in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, focusing on sustainable livelihoods and ecological conservation.
• The 11-day Divya Kala Mela, held from January 9-19, 2025, offered a unique platform for over 100 Divyang artisans and entrepreneurs from 20 States and Union Territories to showcase their products, craftsmanship, and entrepreneurial skills, promoting economic empowerment and inclusivity.
• The Maharashtra government assures swift implementation of the ‘Daksh’ project, aimed at strengthening the state’s Skill Development Department with World Bank support.

Skill development updates on CSR, Industry

• NSDC and Nanak Chand Anglo Sanskrit College (NAS) have signed an MoU to establish a skill development center in Meerut to enhance employability by training students, especially from rural areas, in industry-relevant skills and emerging trades, preparing them for competitive job markets.
• India ranks second in the QS Skills Index 2025, showcasing its strong commitment to workforce readiness and emerging skills with a 99.1% Future of Work score.
• NSDC International acquires a 10% stake in Startup Stairs Pvt. Ltd., boosting innovation and entrepreneurship in rural startups focused on drones, EVs, AI, and robotics.
• Dell Technologies, NSDC, and Learning Links Foundation launch seven Mobile Solar Community Hubs across India, empowering underrepresented communities with digital skills, financial literacy, and entrepreneurial support.
•  Toyota Kirloskar Motor concludes its 33rd iCARE event, empowering 100 students with hands-on STEM learning through collaborative projects like solar energy systems and electromagnets.
•  Schneider Electric has partnered with NSTI Mumbai to set up a COE in Automation, boosting ITI faculty training and future skills across India.

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

• CBSE is set to appoint ‘district skill coordinators’ to promote the integration of skill-based subjects and modules in its affiliated schools to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and real-world applications, helping students become more industry-ready.
• The Bihar government and Patna Women’s College organize a workshop to enroll 60,000 final-year graduates in the National Apprenticeship Training Program, offering a stipend of 9k per month for one year.
• IDEMIA India Foundation collaborates with Microsoft to launch a technology skills development program, offering cloud and AI certifications to empower youth, with a focus on women, to bridge the digital divide and enhance employability.
• Central University of Haryana signs MoU with the Indian Institute of Packaging to foster research, skill development, and industry collaboration, alongside inaugurating an Advanced Sustainable Packaging Laboratory.
• The Additional Skill Acquisition Program (ASAP) Kerala has signed an MoU with IREL India Limited to commence skill training as part of the women’s empowerment initiative and offer training in the general duty assistant course which includes job opportunities in the nursing sector.