The Labour Department has been appointed the nodal agency to train 30,000 unemployed youth in the Union Territory.
This was decided at at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy on Monday to discuss unification of all skill development programmes under the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF).
NSQF is a competency-based framework that organises all qualifications based on the level of knowledge, skills, and aptitude.
The key characteristics of NSQF, according to an official, are formal and informal learning, outcome-based approach, alignment of Indian qualification with international qualification, standardisation in diploma and degree certificates, defined progression pathways, opportunities for lifelong learning and skill development, engagement with industry, employers, and placement.
A senior official said all skill development programmes would be brought under the Puducherry Skill Development Mission. The registered unemployed youth in the Union Territory would get trained in Information Technology (IT), IT-Enabled Services, hospitality, apparel making, healthcare, and automobile.
The meeting decided to hold awareness programmes in rural areas to attract youth. Training programmes would be held in rural areas for the convenience of youth, the official said.
The Labour Department would train 10,000 youth and approved trainers would train the remaining 20,000. Funded by the Union Government, the cost of the programme is estimated at ₹35 crore.
Social Welfare Minister M. Kandasamy, Deputy Speaker V.R. Sivakolundhu, Chief Secretary Manoj Paridha and Labour Secretary R. Mihir Vardhan were present.
