Bizodisha Bureau, New Delhi, July 2, 2015 : India finally has its first integrated National Policy for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in place with the union cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approving such a policy on Thursday.

The maiden policy acknowledges the need for an effective road map for promotion of entrepreneurship as a key to a successful skills strategy.

“The vision of the policy is to create an ecosystem of empowerment by skilling on a large scale at speed with high standards and to promote a culture of innovation based entrepreneurship which can generate wealth and employment so as to ensure sustainable livelihoods for all citizens in the country,” an official press release issued here said.

Skill development and entrepreneurship programmes for women are a specific focus of the policy, it said. The policy also addresses key obstacles to skilling, including low aspirational value, lack of integration with formal education, lack of focus on outcomes, as well as low quality of training infrastructure and trainers.

Besides, it seeks to align supply and demand for skills by bridging existing skill gaps, promoting industry engagement, operationalising a quality assurance framework, leveraging technology and promoting greater opportunities for apprenticeship training.

The focus of the policy is equity paving the way for skilling opportunities for socially/geographically marginalised and disadvantaged groups.

The Cabinet also approved to set up a National Skill Development Mission, which will be a three-tiered, high powered decision making structure.

At its apex, the mission’s governing council, chaired by the prime minister, will provide overall guidance and policy direction. The steering committee, chaired by minister in charge of skill development, will review the mission’s activities in line with the direction set by the governing council, the official release said.