Weekly Newsbytes from NSN on skill development and education – 7th January 2025

In this week’s Newsbytes from NSN, we’re diving into the latest highlights focusing on the launch of a door-to-door initiative to skill adolescent girls, training 1 lakh youth in advanced technologies, skill training in service sectors, NCERT to release new textbooks for Classes 3 and 6 aligned with NCrF 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,

UGC’s draft guidelines for Skill-Based Courses and Micro-Credentials

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has released draft guidelines for introducing skill-based courses and micro-credentials in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). This initiative aligns with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aiming to equip students with industry-relevant skills alongside academic knowledge. By integrating these courses into academic programs, students can earn stackable credits through the National Credit Framework (NCrF), bridging the gap between traditional education and modern workforce demands.

For more details, click here to read the complete draft guidelines on skill-based courses and micro-credentials released by the UGC. 

 Updates from the government

• India launches a door-to-door initiative to skill adolescent girls and boost women’s labor force participation through a pilot project by MSDE and MWCD.
• DEPwD launches initiatives for PwDs, including a 70-hour employability course, ToT programs, MoUs for vocational training, and Purple Talks to foster innovation and employment.
• Arunachal Pradesh declares 2024-25 as the ‘Year of Youth,’ focusing on education reforms and youth empowerment to drive state development.
• The government of Odisha secures ₹670 crore under the PM-USHA scheme to enhance higher education and research, with 38 proposals approved by the Ministry of Education.
• In 2024, the Ministry of MSME launched key initiatives such as PM Vishwakarma, MSME-TEAM, and the Yashasvini Campaign, promoting skill development, formalization, digitalization, and gender parity in MSMEs, alongside collaborative MoUs and significant credit support.
• Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC) and Overseas Manpower Company of Andhra Pradesh (OMCAP) and 2COMS Consulting Pvt. Ltd. signed a tripartite MoU to collaborate under the Skill International Programme for skill development and training.
• MSDE has collaborated with five central ministries to assess skill needs and provide targeted training under the Skill India Mission, enhancing employability through reskilling and upskilling initiatives.

Skill development Updates on CSR, Industry

• AI talent race, green energy leadership, hybrid work, mental health, DEI, and AI-driven HR innovations set to define the future of work.
• NSDC plans to train 1 lakh youth in advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, drones, and cloud computing by the end of 2025 to align with emerging industry demands and enhance employability in various fields, contributing to India’s growth in technology-driven sectors.
• SAIL-ISP and IIT (ISM) Dhanbad launched a state-of-the-art learning centre to upskill the workforce in mining and metallurgy with advanced technologies.
• India’s electronics industry targets $500 billion output by 2030, set to create 12 million jobs by 2027, including roles in AI, ML, and data science.
• A CII study reveals India’s education spending stagnates at 2.7–2.9% of GDP over six years, urging a rise to 6% to match global standards.
• NSDC International has partnered with IDP India to enhance global employability for 75,000 skilled Indian professionals through integrated skill training and English proficiency over two years.
• NSDC, Medhavi Skills University, and Amrit Mehsana Start-up Innovation Mission signed an MoU to launch India’s first District Startup & Innovation Hub, NaMo iHUB, in Gujarat, aimed at boosting sustainable employment and industry-ready skills.
• Toyota Kirloskar Motor, in partnership with the Karnataka government, is expanding its Toyota Anganwadi Development Program to cover 400 more centers in Ramanagara district by 2026.
• Vyomini Social Enterprise, supported by SIDBI, launches the ‘Swabhimaan’ program in Delhi NCR, offering 75-hour skill training to empower over 100 underprivileged individuals in service sectors.

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’s two-day ToT program in Chandigarh trained 75 educators, aiming to build a 15,000-strong resource network for quality education nationwide.
• Assam Skill University in Mangaldoi, is set to open by July 2025, aims to revolutionize vocational education with state-of-the-art training facilities.
• NCERT to release new textbooks for Classes 3 and 6 aligned with the National Curriculum Framework (NCrF), alongside a month-long bridge course to train teachers on updated pedagogical methods.