Govt sets up NSDA for skill development of youths

The government has set up National Skill Development Agency to coordinate and harmonise its skill development efforts with private sector, Lok Sabha was informed today.
Minister of State for Labour and Employment Vishnu Deo Sai told the House in a written reply that NSDA has been working closely with states and advising them on effectively implementing skills programmes at state-level.
Skill development is a key to improve employability and productivity of youths, he said.
"The target is to train 500 lakh persons during the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-2017). Government is funding skill development activities through 70 schemes implemented by more than 20 ministries and departments and NSDC," he said.

The government has set up NSDC under Companies Act 1956 to train 150 million persons by the year 2022 and to promote participation of private players in skill development, he said.
He said that a total of 225 Industrial Training Institutes have been de-affiliated during the last three years due to lack

of infrastructure, shifting of location and other reasons.
He said that ITIs are now required to get re-affiliation from National Council of Vocational Training (NCVT) after every five years.
Replying another question on steps taken by the government to prevent exploitation of unemployed youths by placement agencies, Sai said that the Ministry has entrusted a study on 'ILO Convention 181' regarding private placement Agencies to V V Giri National Labour Institute.

The scope of study includes a gap analysis of existing legal framework at both national and state level, he said.