Weekly Newsbytes from NSN on skill development and education – 18th February 2025

India is advancing skill development with NSDC expanding its footprint with 50 Future Skills Centres and 10 International Academies. UNICEF YuWaah has released an RFP for Program Management Units, while Meghalaya is inviting EOI for coaching institutes to train aspirants. Maharashtra, Telangana, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh are also boosting skill education through key partnerships.

In this week’s Newsbytes from NSN, we cover everything from groundbreaking government policies to industry-driven skilling, CSR initiatives, and the latest from NEP 2020, UGC, and NCVET. Dive into how these updates are shaping the future of education and employment in India.

Here we go with this week’s edition of our weekly newsbytes,

Meghalaya State Skill Development Society – EOI for Coaching Institutes

The Meghalaya State Skill Development Society (MSSDS), Department of Labour, Employment & Skill Development, invitesExpressions of Interest (EOI) from leading coaching institutes to provide a minimum of 150 hours of training to 2,500 aspirants for aptitude-based competitive exams and government job recruitment tests (MPSC, SSC, Bank, Police, PSUs).

The last date for submission is February 27, 2025, and click here for a detailed information!

UNICEF YuWaah Invites RFP for Program Management Units for Two-Year Partnership

UNICEF YuWaah has released a Request for Proposal (RFP) to onboard Program Management Units (PMUs) for a two-year period to oversee and ensure the successful implementation of the program under the supervision of the YuWaah Secretariat.

The last date to apply is March 6th, 2025 (GMT 5:30).

To apply, click the link: Apply Here

Skill development updates from the government

• MDoNER and NSDC met to discuss skill development and entrepreneurship plans for Northeast India, focusing on job creation and economic growth.
• More than 99,000 students in Maharashtra have enrolled in the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme, gaining industry exposure to become job-ready while pursuing their degree, diploma, or vocational courses.
• Union Minister Shri Jayant Chaudhary inaugurated a new hostel at NSTI Bengaluru, enhancing residential facilities for skill development trainees.
• The government of Telangana has offered to assist Bahrain in establishing world-class institutions like Skills University, T-Hub, and T-Works, with Bahrain’s ambassador expressing interest in further collaboration.
• The Uttar Pradesh government has partnered with Tata Technologies to upgrade 62 ITIs, aligning training with Industry 4.0 standards.
• Apparel Training and Design Centre and South Eastern Coalfields Limited, a subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL) under the Ministry of Coal, signed an MoU to provide vocational training for 400 underprivileged youth, focusing on self-employment with a Rs. 3.12 Crore investment.
• The government of Gujarat had launched Gujarat Global Capability Centre (GCC) Policy, aiming to create 50,000 jobs through 250 new GCC units with financial and skill development support.
• The Maharashtra government has partnered with Mumbai University to offer Skill-Credit courses through Acharya Chanakya Skill Development Centres, enabling students to earn credits under NEP 2020.

Skill development updates on CSR, Industry

• NSDC has announced its plans to set up 50 new Future Skills Centres and 10 International Academies to expand skill development across India. Read more…
• ASDC and Hero MotoCorp had launched a 15-month program to train 20,000 women in key automotive roles, promoting gender diversity in the sector.
• Fortinet has partnered with Kerala’s Department of Higher Education to offer free cybersecurity training and certification through ASAP, empowering students with skills to meet the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals.
• India’s first Drone Centres of Excellence have been launched in Odisha’s Kalahandi district under SAGY, focusing on empowering tribal youth and women with drone technology skills.
• Adani Group has partnered with Singapore’s ITEES to launch the world’s largest finishing school in Mundra, training 25,000+ learners annually.
• SIPARD’s School of Logistics has signed an MoU with the Logistics Sector Skill Council to strengthen the skilled workforce in the logistics sector across Tripura and the North East region.
• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited signed an MoU with IIIT Dharwad to enhance industry-academia collaboration in AI, Data Science, Robotics, and other advanced technologies for aerospace and defence sectors.
• Oil India Rural Development Society had organized a certificate ceremony for women weavers and artisans in Dibrugarh, Assam, advancing OIL’s commitment to women’s skill development and entrepreneurship.
• Nasscom Foundation and MathCo launch a Data Annotation Skill Development Program for neurodivergent youth, providing AI/ML training, soft skills, and employment support.

To know more, check out the latest updates on CSR and ESG initiatives that are creating a meaningful impact in skill development and education here: https://nationalskillsnetwork.in/csr-and-esg-in-skill-education/

Skilling and upskilling in academia and emerging technologies

• The School and Mass Education (SME) department in Odisha merges vocational higher secondary schools with host schools to align with NEP 2020 and integrate vocational learning.
• The Telangana Council of Higher Education (TGCHE) and the Bulk Drug Manufacturers Association of India (BDMAI) has signed an MoU to bridge the skill gap between academia and the pharmaceutical industry, focusing on the growing API sector.
• Rajasthan’s education department has outlined 297 tasks and formed six committees to oversee NEP 2020 implementation, submitting monthly progress reports to the Union education ministry.
• NxtWave has partnered with TIER IV, Autoware Foundation, and NSDC to create the world’s largest autonomous vehicle developer community under its SkillUp India 4.0 initiative, aiming to upskill 30 lakh students in 4.0 technologies.
• TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship’s Q1 2024-25 Apprenticeship Outlook Report shows a record-high Net Apprenticeship Outlook (NAO) of 76%, reflecting a significant rise in employer interest in apprenticeships for talent acquisition and industry sustainability.
• Vignan University partners with Schneider Electric to establish Centres of Excellence and Skill Development, becoming the first academic institution to join the ‘Green Yodha’ initiative.
• Ms. Parvin Sultana from West Bengal tops the All India ITI exam 2024 in Mechanic Diesel Trade with 599/600 marks, earning recognition from CM Mamata Banerjee and Delhi.