Andhra Pradesh Govt To Set Up First Skill Development University With 25 Colleges

Andhra Pradesh is all set to introduce its first skill development university in the state to improve the learning among students pursuing industrial training, polytechnic, engineering and other technical courses.

The state chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, on October 25, announced that the government will be setting up one college in each electoral constituency to make it within reach for everyone. These 25 new colleges will be affiliated to one university and provide employment-oriented courses.

All the state government department would be coordinating with the university to facilitate better results. The states’ finance department will be generating funds for skill development and employment opportunities after the course. To give students practical experience, an apprenticeship will be given to them for a year, which can also be extended for six months more, if necessary.

Reddy has also decided to digitalise the existing employment exchange. Efforts would be made to map the existing skill development resources locally at the village secretariat level.

Skilled Workforce Need Of The Hour?

Indian tech industry is growing and has a tremendous potential to grow even further, provided it has the right workforce to drive the industry to its end goal. Both private and public players are trying their best to meet the targets.

The government has recognised the need for skill development under various initiatives, which provide a framework for the same. The central government has already introduced the National Skill Development Policy in 2009 and a National Skill Development Mission in 2010. Moreover, currently over 70 skill development schemes across various sectors are being implemented by various central government departments.

In July this year, the Centre celebrated four years of its flagship programme Skill India Mission, which coincides with World Youth Skills Day. The government had announced that over 1 Cr youth have enrolled under the initiative on a yearly basis. It also confirmed that it has trained over 67 lakh people across 25K Prime Minister Kaushal Kendras set in the country, till now.

Global tech giants Google and Facebook are a few private players that are attempting to tap into India’s potential workforce through skill development.

Google has integrated skill development videos and articles on its job listing platform Google Jobs, the company announced in September this year. On the other hand, Facebook has recently flagged off the second edition of its Going Online as Leaders (GOAL) programme to get Indian tribal women to the forefront in various digital domains.