New Delhi, Dec 21: The Directorate General of Training, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Centurion University of Technology & Management (CUTM) to facilitate for engagement of more than one lakh apprentices over the next three years.
In presence of Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Union Minister of State Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (Independent Charge) & Parliamentary Affairs, Rohit Nandan, Secretary, Rajesh Agarwal, IAS, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development Entrepreneurship and other dignitaries from Ministry of Skill Development and NSDC.
The partnership will also ensure employers pay stipends at least equal to prescribed under the Apprentices Act, 1961 as amended from time to time for a particular state or more. There will efforts put in to expand the scheme and include over 500 employers by March 2018.
The partnership aims to exponentially expand the number of apprentices in India by committing to necessary steps required to motivate today’s youth as well as employers to participate in the program.
Centurion University of Technology & Management (CUTM) has incorporated a School of Vocational Training in its original Act and Statute and has created a social entrepreneurial outreach Gram Tarang Employability Training Services (Gram Tarang). CUTM will implement the MOU through Gram Tarang.
Commenting on the association, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, said, “It’s important that the industry and the private players come forward to align with us to encourage more apprenticeship programs which give them opportunities to be more employable and learn while on the job. Acquiring practical skills will boost the confidence of the youth in several ways and will also meet our objective of having a more skilled and job ready workforce.”
“Centurion is doing some good work in skill development and we wish them best in making this partnership a success,” he further added.
As part of the MoU, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship will allow CUTM to set the curriculum for apprenticeship training. CUTM will act as Third Party Agency between apprentice and employer as per the guidelines issued by the Government of India under the Apprentices Act, 1961 as amended from time to time. CUTM will also facilitate to engage trade apprentices in designated trades and apprentices in optional trades.
Commenting on the partnership, Prof. Mukti Mishra, President, CUTM said, “The MoU signed with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship will pave the way for the inclusive and work-integrated skill development program across the country. This will facilitate in recognising and awarding certificates on the basis of competency and prior learning. The University will create a pathway for youth of the country for vertical mobility academically and professionally. This will also facilitate competency, ability, dexterity and capacity of youth with a sense of pride, since each level of action and applied learning would have an appropriate certificate.
India’s demographic dividend means that more than 1 million people will join India’s labour force every month for the next 20 years. However, converting growth to poverty reduction requires a massive overhaul of our education and employability ecosystem. Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship aims to meet the twin national challenge of skill education and employment outcomes through this focused programme, in association with CUTM.
