SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: With a focus on making Goa an international skilling destination in India, the Central Government on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the State government for setting up a State-of-the-art International Skill Hub, to skill Goan youth in healthcare and tourism and hospitality sector.
Aimed towards Skill India Mission and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ mission, the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), signed an MoU with Goa Directorate of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (DSDE), through a webcast, to set up International Skill Hub; the campus is proposed to come up at the heritage building of Old Asilo Hospital, Mapusa.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Union Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey, State Minister for Skill Development Vishwajit Rane and others.
The facility aims to empower local youth with international standards of skills in sectors such as healthcare and tourism & hospitality. Training for marginalized groups will be imparted under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), besides market led fee-based schemes.
Under the terms of the agreement, the Government of Goa will provide land for establishing an International Skill Hub. NSDC and DSDE will be responsible jointly for short listing job roles, identifying training partners (TPs) to operationalise skill training at the institution, monitoring and facilitating the skilling program.
Speaking on the occasion, Pandey said that it is crucial to enhance focus on reskilling, upskilling and deep skilling as part of our country’s revival strategy.
“Today’s MoU signing between NSDC and DSDE, Goa is a pioneering step towards achieving that mission. Skilling the youth in market relevant skills will significantly contribute towards fulfilling Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Aatmnirbhar Bharat’ and help India make a mark on the global landscape,” he said.
“Our objective is to work collaboratively with States to implement efficient training, assessment and certification process for creation of a conducive and buoyant skilling ecosystem in India,” he added.
The Union Minister urged NSDC to execute the MoU at the earliest making the facility Centre of Excellence.
Minister Rane added that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism industry has been hit hard and that it’s time to redefine the sector by tapping new resources. “It is time to rebuild the tourism sector, the major backbone of the State’s economy,” he said.
He further stated that the institute will help the youth of Goa transform from being job seekers to job creators and accelerate the State’s growth rapidly.
The institute also aims to provide international placements to local candidates through programs like NSDC’s programs such as Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) and India International Skill Centres (IISC).
