Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) in the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, highlighted in the Lok Sabha the government’s efforts under the Skill India Mission (SIM) to empower all sections of society, with a particular focus on women, through skill development programs.
The SIM, executed by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), encompasses a range of initiatives including the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS), National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), and the Craftsman Training Scheme (CTS).
These programs, delivered through an extensive network of skill development centres and Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), aim to equip India’s youth with industry-relevant skills to ensure they are future-ready.
Special Provisions for Women Under Skill India Mission
Recognizing the importance of women’s participation in the workforce, the government has introduced several measures to encourage their enrollment in skill development programs. These include provisions for conveyance and boarding expenses, enhanced post-placement support, and a special focus on projects prioritizing women beneficiaries under PMKVY 4.0.
Women-specific training opportunities are structured in high-demand sectors such as electronics, retail, healthcare, beauty and wellness, handicrafts, and apparel. Skill hubs and special projects actively engage women from rural areas, aligning training programs with local demands to create employment opportunities.
The Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) scheme has also made strides in reaching vulnerable groups, with women constituting over 80% of its beneficiaries.
Women-Centric Infrastructure and Reservation Policies
To bolster women’s participation, the government operates 19 National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) and more than 300 ITIs exclusively for women. Furthermore, a 30% reservation policy for women in all ITI courses has been implemented, with seats allocated based on each state’s general reservation policy.
These inclusive measures have ensured that women from all parts of the country, including Uttar Pradesh, have access to skill development programs that can transform their economic and social standing.
According to the ministry details, there are various job roles and skills that women from Uttar Pradesh have chosen under different schemes of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) such as PMKVY, NAPS, JSS, and CTS.
- PMKVY: Self-employed tailor, traditional hand embroiderer, sewing machine operator, field technician, make-up artist, self-employed retailer/individual sales professional, retail sales associate, carpet weaver (knotted), hand embroiderer, and data entry operator.
- NAPS: IT-ITES, electronics, retail, automotive, banking, financial services & insurance (BFSI), telecom, production and manufacturing, services including repair and maintenance, apparel made-ups & home furnishing, and management & entrepreneurship and professional skills.
- JSS: Assistant dress maker, beauty care assistant, assistant hand embroiderer, computer operator, assistant-fruits and vegetable processing and preservation, stringing/beading artisan (fashion jewellery), assistant textile printer, domestic care attendant, assistant carpet weaver, and retail cashier.
- CTS: Cosmetology, computer operator and programming assistant, fashion design & technology, electrician, fitter, sewing technology, health sanitary inspector, dress making, stenographer & secretarial assistant (Hindi), and electronics mechanic.
This shows a diverse range of job roles and skills that women, including those from rural areas, have chosen to pursue under the MSDE schemes. It highlights the focus on both traditional and modern skills, catering to different interests and aspirations.
Uttar Pradesh Skilled Women Workforce
According to the Skill Development ministry, in terms of district-wise details of women enrolled and trained under PMKVY since 31 October 2024 in Uttar Pradesh, here are the top 5 districts from where the majority of the women are enrolled and trained or oriented.
Here are the district-wise details of women enrolled and trained under JSS Scheme from 2017-18 up to 10 November 2024 in Uttar Pradesh.
In terms of district-wise details of women apprentices engaged under NAPS since 2018-19 till 31 October 2024 in Uttar Pradesh.
In terms of district-wise details of women enrolled under CTS in ITIs from 2019-20 to
2023-24 in Uttar Pradesh.
With these initiatives, the government aims to bridge gender gaps in employment and skill training, contributing to the vision of an empowered and self-reliant India.
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