The Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has recently certified 98 trainers who have successfully completed the cluster-based Training of Trainers project. This initiative is part of the Skills Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP) programme, which was launched in 2018 with the assistance of a World Bank loan. The SANKALP programme aims to transform the skilling ecosystem in India by improving short-term skill development planning and implementation, promoting decentralization, monitoring skilling activities, and encouraging innovative best practices at the local level.

Objectives of SANKALP:

The primary objective of the SANKALP programme is to enhance the overall skilling ecosystem in India. The programme focuses on both central and state-level agencies to achieve improved outcomes. The key objectives of SANKALP are:

  1. Decentralization and Monitoring: SANKALP employs decentralization as a strategy to enhance the planning and implementation of short-term skill development. This approach aims to ensure that skill development initiatives are effectively monitored and evaluated.
  2. Convergence: The programme seeks to promote convergence among different stakeholders involved in skill development. By fostering collaboration and coordination among various agencies, SANKALP aims to achieve better outcomes in skill training.
  3. Enhanced Access and Quality: SANKALP aims to improve access, quality, and capacity in the skilling ecosystem. It strives to ensure that individuals, especially female trainees and other disadvantaged groups, have better access to and successfully complete skills training.
Key Initiatives under SANKALP:
  1. Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship (MGNF) Programme: As part of SANKALP, the MGNF Programme is a two-year academic program that combines classroom sessions at premier institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) with intensive field immersion at the district level. This program aims to strengthen the District Skill Committees (DSCs) for skill planning and management.
  2. Engagement with Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR): The MSDE has partnered with the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) to integrate skill development planning in the Gram Panchayats (GPs). This collaboration, marked by the signing of an MoU in 2020, aims to ensure that skill development initiatives are effectively implemented at the grassroots level.
  3. Awards for Excellence in District Skill Development Planning (DSDP Awards): These awards have been instituted under the SANKALP programme to recognize and appreciate the efforts of District Administrations in creating functional and innovative District Skill Development Plans (DSDPs).
  4. Capacity Building Initiatives: MSDE has been organizing theme-based workshops to build the capacity of states and districts in skill development planning and implementation. These workshops aim to equip stakeholders with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively contribute to the skilling ecosystem.

Important Points:

  • 🌟 SANKALP Programme: A World Bank loan assisted project launched in 2018.
  • 🎯 Objectives: Transforming the skilling ecosystem in India, improving planning and implementation, promoting decentralization, monitoring activities, and encouraging innovation.
  • 🌍 Enhanced Access: Aim to improve access, quality, and capacity in the skilling ecosystem.
  • 👩‍🎓 Focus on Inclusion: Ensuring improved access and completion of skills training for female trainees and other disadvantaged groups.
  • 📚 Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship (MGNF) Programme: Two-year academic program combining classroom sessions at IIMs with field immersion at the district level.
  • 🤝 Engagement with MoPR: Partnership with the Ministry of Panchayati Raj to integrate skill development planning in Gram Panchayats.
  • 🏆 DSDP Awards: Recognizing functional and innovative District Skill Development Plans by District Administration.
  • 💪 Capacity Building Initiatives: Theme-based workshops to enhance the capacity of states and districts in skill development planning and implementation.
  • 👩‍🏫 Trainers Certification: 98 trainers certified under the cluster-based Training of Trainers project.
Why In News

Under the SANKALP programme, the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship proudly certifies 98 highly skilled trainers who successfully completed the rigorous cluster-based Training of Trainers project. These certified trainers are equipped with the necessary expertise to empower individuals with essential skills and foster a culture of entrepreneurship in our nation.

MCQs about SANKALP Transformative Impact in India

  1. What is the primary objective of the SANKALP programme?
    A. Enhancing access to skill training
    B. Promoting decentralization
    C. Monitoring skilling activities
    D. Transforming the overall skilling ecosystem
    Correct Answer: D. Transforming the overall skilling ecosystem
    Explanation: The primary objective of the SANKALP programme is to transform the skilling ecosystem in India, covering both central and state-level agencies for improved outcomes.
  2. Which initiative aims to strengthen District Skill Committees (DSCs) for skill planning and management?
    A. Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship (MGNF) Programme
    B. Engagement with Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR)
    C. Awards for Excellence in District Skill Development Planning (DSDP Awards)
    D. Capacity building initiatives at states and districts
    Correct Answer: A. Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship (MGNF) Programme
    Explanation: The MGNF Programme is a two-year academic program that aims to strengthen the District Skill Committees (DSCs) for skill planning and management.
  3. What is the purpose of the Engagement with Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) initiative?
    A. Recognizing innovative District Skill Development Plans
    B. Enhancing access to skill training for disadvantaged groups
    C. Introducing skill development planning at the Gram Panchayat level
    D. Building the capacity of states and districts in skill development
    Correct Answer: C. Introducing skill development planning at the Gram Panchayat level
    Explanation: The MSDE has partnered with the MoPR to integrate skill development planning in the Gram Panchayats (GPs) as part of the SANKALP programme.
  4. What does the Capacity Building Initiatives aim to achieve?
    A. Enhancing the skills of trainers in the skilling ecosystem
    B. Recognizing efforts in creating innovative District Skill Development Plans
    C. Strengthening the coordination between various stakeholders
    D. Promoting decentralization and monitoring of skilling activities
    Correct Answer: A. Enhancing the skills of trainers in the skilling ecosystem
    Explanation: The capacity building workshops are organized by MSDE to build the capacity of state and district levels in skill development planning and implementation.

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