Context:

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the Ministry of Women & Child Development (MWCD) have launched a Pilot Project aimed at empowering adolescent girls and women.

More on the news

• The orientation session for empowering adolescent girls and women across 27 aspirational districts and special areas in nine states was conducted by MWCD in collaboration with MSDE.The initiative seeks to address the barriers women face in entering the workforce.Training will be conducted under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0, which is targeting approximately 4000 beneficiaries.
• The project will also facilitate connections to e-commerce platforms and provide sensitization on POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment).

Program Implementation and Support

• The training will utilise existing Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra (PMKK), Jan Shiksha Sansthan (JSS) centres, and government educational institutions across 27 aspirational districts and 60+ Training Centres with special provision of ₹1,000 per month for transport conveyance assistance to all female trainees via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).The project lifecycle will be managed via the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) where certain training modules, course discovery, financial and funding services, and assessments will be made available.

Significance of the Project

• It is expected to boost female enrolments in our Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).
• It helps in bridging the gender gap in workforce participation and unlocking the immense potential of women in contributing to India's economic development.

Comprehensive Training and Industry Collaboration

The program will offer training in high-demand job roles, emphasizing digital and soft skills, with support for career guidance and job placement, and partnerships with local businesses for practical exposure. These programme would ultimately lead to higher participation of women in the labour force (the goal is to increase women's participation in the formal economy from the current 37% to 60%).