AICTE launches new skill development scheme in colleges

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, April 15

To make proper utilisation of existing resources available at the engineering colleges and polytechnics, the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has launched Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) for technical institutes to impart skill-based training to the students during the off-college hours.

As per the new scheme, AICTE would offer training to at least 100 unemployed youth per year in engineering skills based on the job roles as per National Occupational Standards (NOS) prescribed by The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. The additional cost of the course would be borne by the AICTE itself.

Dr Anshu Kataria, president, Punjab Unaided Colleges Association (PUCA), while welcoming the initiative taken by AICTE said, “The technical institutes are viable vehicle for conducting such skill training sessions. The step would also strengthen ‘Make in India’, ‘Digital India’, ‘Startup India’ and other such projects involved to develop around 109 million skilled persons by 2022.”

Kataria said on one hand such new schemes would help students to get skill development education and on the other hand the unutilised infrastructure of the colleges could also be brought under proper utilisation.

Kataria further added that on the same pattern state should also set up a committee to access the total surplus infrastructure available in the technical institutes of the Punjab wherein such other courses etc can be started.

The last date for the submission of online application on AICTE portal is April 18 under which all eligible institutions will have to offer skills training for 250 hours to a batch of 100 students based on National Occupational Standards in engineering skills. AICTE will give grant in aid of Rs 10,000 per student.