How the Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship Programme will aid in strengthening the skill development ecosystem?

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has signed an agreement with the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore for introducing a two-year fellowship programme called Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship (MGNF) programme.

Under the programme, eligible fellows in the age group of 21-30 years with a graduation degree from a recognized university can apply.

How MGNF will aid in strengthening the skill development ecosystem?

• The fellowship aims to address the challenge of non-availability of personnel for implementation of various programmes at national, state and district levels.
• The programme has an in-built component of on-ground practical experience with the district administration. This will provide a good hands-on training.
• The scheme will aid in tackling the dearth of individuals who can implement and manage skill development programmes at the grassroots level by creating a cadre of young individuals and train them in a blended academic programme that provides both academic inputs and a component of field immersion at the district level.
• In the course of training, fellows will work under the close supervision of state skill development missions (SSDM) and will spend time and effort in understanding skilling challenges and gaps in the district.
• The programme is expected to enrich skilling programmes by bringing in fresh thinking to local planning, execution, community interaction and outcome management.

The programme has been launched under Skills Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP). SANKALP is a World Bank loan assisted project aimed at strengthening institutional mechanisms for skill development and increase access to quality and market-relevant training for youth across the country.