Daily Current Affairs : 26-August-2023

In a world driven by technology, the need for skilled individuals is ever-increasing. However, the tech industry, like many others, faces a gender diversity gap and the challenge of including underprivileged groups. To address this issue, the Indian government has initiated Project AMBER, which provides cloud skills training to 1,500 learners and connects them to employment opportunities. This essay explores the significance of Project AMBER and its alignment with the SANKALP programme, shedding light on how these initiatives are transforming India’s skilling landscape.

The SANKALP Programme

1. Empowering Women and the Underprivileged

Under the umbrella of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), the SANKALP programme, or Skills Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion, was launched in 2018. It aims to enhance gender diversification in the tech industry and uplift underprivileged groups. Key features include:

  • World Bank Loan Assistance: SANKALP is a World Bank loan-assisted project, in sync with the National Skill Development Mission’s overarching objectives.
  • Holistic Approach: The program aims to revamp India’s skilling ecosystem, involving central and state-level agencies to achieve better outcomes.
  • Decentralization: A cornerstone of SANKALP is decentralization, which enhances short-term skill development planning and implementation, facilitates monitoring, and promotes convergence among stakeholders.
The Amber Project

2. Fostering Inclusive Growth

Project AMBER, or Accelerated Mission for Better Employment and Retention, is a collaborative effort between the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and the Generation India Foundation (GIF), operating under the auspices of MSDE. It strives to:

  • Gender Inclusivity: By planning to train 30,000 youth, with 50% being women trainees, AMBER emphasizes gender inclusivity.
  • Resilience Post-COVID: AMBER’s training programs focus on post-COVID resilient job roles, offering learners skills tailored to the evolving job market over two years.
  • Scalable and Sustainable: This project serves as a scalable and sustainable model for skill development, supporting inclusive growth and institutional strengthening in India.
Blended Funding Model

3. Public-Private Partnership

A distinctive feature of Project AMBER is its blended financing model. It combines funding from both the government and the private sector, exemplifying a unique public-private partnership (PPP). This innovative approach ensures a robust financial backing, promoting:

  • Shared Responsibility: The PPP approach encourages shared responsibility for skill development, fostering a collaborative environment.
  • Resource Utilization: Efficient resource utilization through both public and private contributions enhances the program’s reach and impact.
Outcome-Based Approach

4. Focusing on Results

The overarching objective of Project AMBER is to enhance job placement and retention outcomes. To achieve this, the project adopts an outcomes-based approach, where stakeholders are rewarded based on their contribution to tangible results. This approach:

  • Accountability: Encourages accountability among stakeholders, ensuring that efforts translate into meaningful employment opportunities.
  • Continuous Improvement: Constantly drives improvement, as success is directly tied to the achievement of desired outcomes.

Important Points:

SANKALP Programme:

  • Launched in 2018 by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
  • Aims to improve gender diversity in the tech industry and uplift underprivileged groups.
  • World Bank loan-assisted project aligned with National Skill Development Mission objectives.
  • Focuses on transforming India’s skilling ecosystem through decentralization.
  • Promotes short-term skill development planning, implementation, and convergence among stakeholders.

Project AMBER:

  • A joint initiative of NSDC and GIF under MSDE.
  • Aims to train 30,000 youth with a focus on gender inclusivity (50% women trainees).
  • Offers training in post-COVID resilient job roles over two years.
  • Represents a scalable and sustainable model for skill development in India.
  • Utilizes a blended financing model involving both government and private sector funding.
  • Adopts an outcomes-based approach to improve job placement and retention outcomes.

Blended Funding Model:

  • Combines funding from the government and private sector, fostering a unique public-private partnership.
  • Encourages shared responsibility for skill development.
  • Enhances resource utilization and program reach.

Outcome-Based Approach:

  • Emphasizes accountability among stakeholders.
  • Rewards contributions based on tangible results.
  • Drives continuous improvement in skill development efforts.
Why In News

Under Project AMBER, the government is not only offering ‘cloud’ skills training to 1,500 eager learners but also fostering their seamless integration into the job market, ensuring a brighter future for all participants. This initiative marks a significant step toward bridging the skills gap and promoting employment in the ever-evolving tech industry.

MCQs about Project AMBER and SANKALP

  1. What is the primary objective of Project AMBER?
    A. To provide cloud skills training to 1,500 learners.
    B. To improve gender diversity in the tech industry.
    C. To offer post-COVID resilient job roles.
    D. To enhance short-term skill development planning.
    Correct Answer: B. To improve gender diversity in the tech industry.
    Explanation: Project AMBER’s primary goal is to address the gender diversity gap in the tech industry.
  2. What is the SANKALP program’s approach to improving skill development outcomes?
    A. Centralized planning and implementation.
    B. World Bank loan assistance.
    C. Decentralization as a strategy.
    D. Gender-neutral training programs.
    Correct Answer: C. Decentralization as a strategy.
    Explanation: The SANKALP program employs decentralization as a strategy to improve skill development planning and implementation.
  3. What makes Project AMBER’s financing model unique?
    A. It is entirely government-funded.
    B. It is a World Bank loan-assisted project.
    C. It combines funding from both the government and the private sector.
    D. It relies solely on private sector contributions.
    Correct Answer: C. It combines funding from both the government and the private sector.
    Explanation: Project AMBER utilizes a blended financing model involving both government and private sector contributions.
  4. What is the key feature of AMBER’s outcomes-based approach?
    A. Stakeholders are not held accountable.
    B. Rewards are based on individual efforts.
    C. It emphasizes continuous improvement.
    D. It promotes centralized planning.
    Correct Answer: C. It emphasizes continuous improvement.
    Explanation: AMBER’s outcomes-based approach encourages accountability and drives continuous improvement in skill development efforts.

Boost up your confidence by appearing our Weekly Current Affairs Multiple Choice Questions

Loading