Government implements multiple skill development schemes through MSDE and other ministries. Some of these schemes mandate employment as an outcome. Data indicates that about 20.75 lakh persons gained employment through PMKVY & DDU-GKY between 2018-19 & 2021-22. This is about 4.7% of the new EPFO subscribers during this period. Our lives are undeniably intertwined with the way we are paid. In a society that is marked by rapid advancements in technology, skill development remains the most appropriate way to remain relevant in the labour market. Hence, being in harmony with the market requirements becomes of utmost importance. “Skills don’t die, only people do,’ said Anas Hamshari, establishing the importance of skilling in life. Skill development perpetuates a virtuous cycle, wherein highly skilled labour enables a boost in productivity thereby enhancing economic growth. Countries are beginning to realize the potential of a highly skilled workforce in achieving social, economic, and developmental goals. With a greater proportion of the population in the younger age bracket, India needs to have a workforce that is ‘employable’ and industry ready. That emphasis is clearly reflected in the steps taken by successive governments towards bridging the gap between the required and acquired skills. In today’s story, we look into various skill development initiatives, and the outcomes achieved, and how these skill development programs add up to the overall formal employment figures in India. The story so far The National Policy for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (NPSDE) was introduced in July 2015 with the goal of building an ecosystem of empowerment through large-scale rapid, and high-quality skilling. A new ministry, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, was established and is responsible for coordinating all skill development initiatives across the nation, bridging the gap between demand and supply of skilled labour, and developing a framework for vocational and technical training. The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) provides skill training to youth across the country through a comprehensive network of skill development centres under various schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS), National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), and Craftsman Training Scheme (CTS) through Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) under the Skill India Mission. Apart from these, the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) under the Ministry of Rural Development, is a flagship scheme aimed at transforming rural youth into a globally relevant and economically independent workforce. It came into being in September 2014. Progress made under these schemes. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana: Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) provides youth throughout the nation with skill development training through Short-Term Training (STT) and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Launched in 2015 as a pilot, PMKVY had been extended thrice. PMKVY 1.0 was launched in 2015, while PMKVY 2.0 was launched on 02 October 2016, with an aim to impart skilling to 1 crore youth by 2020. PMKVY 3.0 was launched in January 2021. Since its inception in 2015, a total of 137.17 Lakh people have imparted training under all three phases of PMKVY till September 2022. The details of phase-wise training, certification, and placement is as below. Jan Shikshan Sansthan: The Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) Program intends to provide vocational training to nonliterates, neo-literates, and people with minimal education up to the eighth grade as well as school dropouts up to the 12th grade who are between the ages of 15 and 45. 286 JSSs are currently operational in 26 States and 7 Union Territories as of September 2022. Around 4 lakh people are covered annually, and 85% of them are women. A total of 14.65 lakh candidates are trained under JSS from 2018-19 till September 2022. National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme: The National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) offers financial assistance to industrial establishments that are implementing apprenticeship programs in accordance with the Apprentices Act of 1961, to promote apprenticeship training and increase the engagement of apprentices. The total number of candidates trained under NAPS from 2018-19 till September 2022 stands at 16.73 lakh. Craftsmen Training Scheme: The Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) uses Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) all throughout the nation to deliver long-term training. With a goal of providing trained workers to the industry as well as young self-employment, the ITIs offers a variety of vocational/skill training courses across a wide range of economic sectors.