The new National Education Policy (NEP 2020) has reoriented education and skilling according to the aptitude of youngsters, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday, emphasising the need to have an “industry-oriented” education system to meet the growing demand for a skilled workforce as India is emerging as a global manufacturing hub.
“Our education system should be practical, industry oriented... the Budget has laid the foundation for it. Over the years, our education sector has been a victim of rigidity. We have tried to change this. We reoriented education and skilling according to the aptitude of the youth and the demands of the coming times,” he said while addressing a post-Budget webinar on ‘Harnessing Youth Power - Skilling and Education’.
The webinar was the third in a series of 12 post-Budget webinars organised by the government to seek ideas and suggestions for the effective implementation of the initiatives announced in the Union Budget 2023-24.
Mr. Modi emphasised that India is following the global trend of “on-the-job learning”, with special focus on providing internships and apprenticeships to ensure “outside-the-classroom exposure” for youngsters.
“Today, there are about 75,000 employers on the National Internship Portal, where the requirements for 25 lakh internships have been posted so far,” he informed. The Prime Minister urged the industry and educational institutions to make maximum use of the portal and further expand the culture of internship in the country.
He expressed the belief that apprenticeships will make the country’s youngsters future-ready and help the industries identify the workforce with the right skills.
Talking about the Union Budget, the Prime Minister highlighted the provision for a stipend that has been made available for about 50 lakh youngsters under the National Apprenticeship Promotion scheme.
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“It is creating an environment for apprenticeships and also helping the industry in payments. The world is looking at India as a manufacturing hub and there is enthusiasm in the world about investing in the country. The Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 will skill, re-skill and upskill lakhs of youngsters in the coming years. Tailor-made programmes are being made according to the needs of tribals, differently-abled people and women through this scheme.
“The focus is on creating a skilled workforce for Industry 4.0 sectors, such as AI (artificial intelligence), robotics, IoT, and drones, thereby making it easier for international investors to scout talent, without having to spend much energy and resources on re-skilling,” he said.
Published - February 25, 2023 10:55 am IST
