Skill Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion Programme (SANKALP)

SANKALP (Skill Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion Programme) is a Rs 4000 crore programme that is aimed at channelizing the energy of the youth in proper education, skill and jobs. It will provide market relevant training to 3.5 crore youth. The objective is to enhance the employability potential of the youth to the maximum extent possible. It is indeed a good answer to the situation of unemployment among youths prevailing in our country that is preventing the economic and social development.

There are two phases to this Scheme-the first is the initial Rs 4000 crore and the second phase starts with Rs 2200 crore. The second stage is termed as STRIVE (Skill Strengthening for Industrial Value Enhancement).

Some of the measures that are being undertaken under this Programme are as follows:

• Forming alienate annual performance measuring system for secondary schools and Colleges.
• Major contributions would be allocated to innovation and regional funds for ensuring better amenities to government schools and colleges .
• Developing more than 100 skill centers, covering all major courses of interest and education in foreign languages .
• centers for people, for getting connected with e-programs like Swayam and DigiGaon for skill enhancing e-learning courses are being set up.
• Establishing a National Testing Agency for holding entrance exams in future & freeing educational bodies from such responsibility .
• Targeting govt spending on STRIVE ( Skill Strengthening for Industrial Value Enhancement) for improving better training method of ITIs and ensuring better apprenticeship programs.
• Extension of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras (PMKK) to 600 districts which presently constitute to train only in 60 districts.
• Allocating up-to 4500 crore to Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission helping low income families giving a livelihood sustenance option with skill development.

The training clubs in several initiatives earlier undertaken by the Government. These include:

• Extension of the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras to more than 600 districts across the country, from 60 districts at present.
• 100 India International Skill Centres will be established across the country to offer advanced training and also courses in foreign languages, which Jaitley said, “will help those of our youth who seek job opportunities outside the country.
• The initiative of Startup India is also being used to supplement this programme. In order to provide an incentive to its Startup India Initiative, the government in its Budget FY17 announced for startups a tax rebate of any 3 years out of 7 initial yrs, which was earlier taxed as 3 out of 5, giving a motivational support to them for develop a good base for their business in their initial term. took care on aspect of MSMEs which have always been a major employment generator for the country, giving them a due recognition in budget and allowing them a rebate of 5% in their tax slab predicting more jobs from this sector.

The second stage will focus on improvement in the quality and the market relevance of vocational training provided in ITIs and strengthen the apprenticeship programme through industry-cluster approach.

There is a saying by Swami Vivekananda: “The education which does not help the common mass of people to equip themselves for the struggle for life… is it worth the name?” This is indeed the position of Indian education which is resulting in a number of youths becoming unemployed even after higher education. The initiative gives an impetus to improve the quality of education and training for application in practical purposes.