The skill level and educational attainment of the workforce determines the productivity as well as the ability to adapt to the changing industrial environment. A majority of Indian workforce does not possess marketable skills which is an impediment in getting decent employment and improving their economic condition. While India has large young population, only 5% of the Indian labour force in the age group of 20-24 years has obtained vocational skills through formal means whereas the percentage in industrialized countries varies between 60% and 96%. About 63% of the school students drop out at different stages before reaching Class-X. Only about 2.5 million vocational training seats are available in the country whereas about 12.8 million persons enter the labour market every year. Even out of these training places, very few are available for early school dropouts. This signifies that a large number of school drop outs do not have access to skill development for improving their employability. The educational entry requirements and long duration of courses of the formal training system are some of the impediments for a person of low educational attainment to acquire skills for his livelihood. Further, the largest share of new jobs in India is likely to come from the unorganized sector that employs up to 93 per cent of the national workforce, but most of the training programmes cater to the needs of the organized sector.

Accordingly, Ministry of Labour & Employment undertook development of a new strategic framework for skill development for early school leavers and existing workers, especially in the un-organised sector in close consultation with industry, micro enterprises in the un-organised sector, State Governments, experts and academia which was essential considering their educational, social and economic background. The main objective of the scheme is to provide employable skills to school leavers, existing workers, ITI graduates, etc. Existing skills of the persons can also be tested and certified under this scheme. Priority will be given to covering those above the age of 14 years who have been or withdrawn as child labour to enable them to learn employable skills in order to get gainful employment. it is hoped that this website will help in dissemination of the information about the scheme and bring transparency. It will also helpful in getting valuable feedback from stakeholders and public at large.

To provide vocational training to school leavers, existing workers, ITI graduates, etc. to improve their employability by optimally utilizing the infrastructure available in Govt., private institutions and the Industry. Existing skills of the persons can also be tested and certified under this scheme.

To build capacity in the area of development of competency standards, course curricula, learning material and assessment standards in the country.

• Workers seeking certification of their skills acquired informally
• Workers and ITI graduates seeking skill upgradation
• Early school drop-outs and unemployed
• Previously child labour and their families

One million persons would be trained or their existing skills tested and certified, over a period of five years. About 200 modules for employable skills as per Industry and labour market demands would be identified and course curriculum developed.

The minimum age limit for persons to take part in the scheme is 14 years but there is no upper age limit

In order to maintain quality of training uniformly all over the country, instructional media packages (IMPs) will be developed by the National Instructional Media Institute (NIMI), Chennai.

• Following training fee which includes cost of material, honorarium, etc. has been prescribed :
• Rs.500 per module for modules having duration upto 90 hrs
• Rs.1000 per module for modules having duration from 91 to 180 hrs.
• Rs.1500 per module for modules having duration from 181 hrs to 270 hrs.
• Rs.2000 per module for modules having duration more than 270 hrs

Successful persons will be awarded certificates issued by National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT). The Assessing Bodies will send the list of successful candidates along with marks statement to respective Regional Directorate of Apprenticeship Training (RDAT) under DGE&T for issue of certificates. RDAT will issue certificates to the Assessing Bodies for dispatching to successful candidates by giving the details of competencies possessed by the trainee.