Image Courtesy : www.pmindia.gov.in

On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the National Education Policy (NEP 2020) reoriented education and skills according to the aptitude of youngsters. He emphasized the need to keep an “industry-oriented” education system to meet the growing demand for a qualified workforce, as India is emerging as an international manufacturing hub.

While addressing a post-Budget webinar on ‘Harnessing Youth Power- Skilling and Education, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said our education strategy should be practical and industry-oriented. The Budget has spread the foundation for it. Over the years, our education sector has been a target of rigidity. We have attempted to change this. We reoriented education and skilling as per the aptitude of the youth and the demands of the coming times.

The webinar was the third in a series of 12 post-Budget webinars conducted by the government to pursue ideas and suggestions for the effective execution of the initiatives announced in the Union Budget 2023-2024.

Mr. Modi highlighted that India is following the global trend of on-the-job learning with an emphasis on offering internships and apprenticeships to provide “outside-the-classroom exposure” for youngsters.

He informed that today, there are nearly 75,000 employers on the National Internship Portal, where the requirements for 25 lakh internships have been posted. Prime Minister Narendra Modi insisted that industry and educational institutions make ultimate use of the portal and further extend the internship culture in the country.

Discussing the Union Budget 2023-24, Modi emphasized the provision for a stipend made available for about 50 lakh youngsters under the National Apprenticeship Promotion scheme.

It is creating an atmosphere for apprenticeships and helping the industry with payments. The world is looking at India as a global manufacturing hub, and there is enthusiasm among the world about investing in the country. The Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 will skill, re-skill and upskill lakhs of youngsters in the forthcoming years.

He said the focus is on building a skilled workforce for Industry 4.0 sectors, such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, IoT, and drones, thereby making it more comfortable for international investors to scout talent without spending much energy and resources on re-skilling.

News Source: The Hindu