Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra – PMKK

The targets set for skilling Indian youth demands systematic execution through speed, scale and sustainability. A major towards ensuring quality and consistency while meeting the numbers is the formation of state-of-the-art training centers called the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra (PMKK) in partnership with training partners across India. 

The objective of this article is to inform the readers about the government schemes and guide them to authoritative sources of information such as the relevant pages on the websites of NSDC and MSDE. To know more about PMKK process, funding and guidelines for proposal submission visit: http://www.nsdcindia.org/pradhan-mantri-kaushal-kendra

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) along with National Skill Development Corporation NSDC, is making continuous efforts to skill the unskilled population of the country with the vision of making India, the ‘Skill Capital of the World’. The Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra (PMKK) is a huge step in establishing a model and iconic centre of excellence for skill development.

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Process for setting up of PMKK

Listed below are the main components of the set up process

Coverage

NSDC has followed a cluster based approach for the coverage of this programme across the country. To ensure a mix of districts with different levels of skill based developmental activities clusters have been created keeping in mind their socio-economic, demographic and skill based training abilities. Clustering has not been done in the North Eastern states, Jammu and Kashmir and the Union Territories due to the challenges faced in these areas. This will also ensure maximum participation of the skill based training agencies.

Infrastructure

• The PMKK centres are divided into three categories based on the district population. Each category has a different minimum area requirement. The three categories A, B and C will have a minimum centre size of 8000, 5000 and 3000 sq ft respectively. The population in these categories is above 4 lakh for category A, 1-4 lakh for category B and less than 1 lakh for category C.
• The PMKK centres have to follow the branding specifications provided by NSDC for colour specifications, designs and templates etc.
• The training centres have to be easily accessible to people, located close to a main road and well connected by public transport with adequate lighting and movement of people.
• Similarly there are specifications laid out by NSDC/MSDE for the equipment in the centres, hostel facilities, classrooms, counselling and placement services etc.

Financial Support

• For setting up the PMKK centre NSDC will provide funding in the form of a loan to cover 70% of its expenditure at an applicable rate of interest with a repayment period of 4 years.
• The loan is capped at a maximum limit of 70lakhs per centre and will be utilised for infrastructure, training aids and internal renovation.
• The loan cannot be utilized for immovable property like land or buildings.
• Additional loan can be provided, over and above 70 lakhs, for using pre-fabricated structures for setting up of PMKK centres. NSDC and promoter contribution to the loan shall be in a ratio of 75:25, respectively.
• Each PMKK should maintain a bank account in a commercial bank and the release of funds will be made for each phase based on milestone completion specified by NSDC.

Training delivery

Following are some of the parameters for training delivery in terms of expectations to be met by the trainers, the trainees and other specifications.

• All trainers hired should have a minimum specified academic qualification and minimum experience as per the SSC. The centre should have sufficient amount of trainers and in addition to the course trainers one soft skills and English trainer and faculty for employment readiness also should be available in every centre.
• The trainees also have to meet the specified eligibility criteria for every skill program at the time of admission. Guidelines are provided for the duration and quality of the courses provided.
• Assessment and Certification is the responsibility of bodies recognised by NSDC/MSDE. The assessment has to be done within a week of the course completion and the certificates issued in the next 7 days.
• Those who complete the training successfully will be provided with placement assistance and on the job training also included part of the training program.

NSDC is developing a central database to monitor the project implementation. A dedicated website with information regarding the project, updates, guidelines and MIS is being developed.

The road ahead

Several PMKK Centres have been inaugurated across the country. As the numbers and geographical coverage increase PMKK has the potential to become the benchmark of skill development infrastructure, training, and placement in the respective district and also in the entire country and will make skill development quality oriented, sustainable and aspirational.