Latest news with #NationalSkillDevelopmentCorporation
Fibre2Fashion
20-05-2025
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
India's $100-bn textile export target hinges on MSME: Primus Partners
India's target to hit $100 billion in textile exports in five years revolves largely around how well the country can support and scale its micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), according to a new Primus Partners report, which says textile MSMEs form the backbone of the industry, but are held back now by fragmented value chains, high costs, skill shortages and limited global market access. India accounts for just 4.6 per cent of global textile exports, while China's share is 48 per cent. Titled 'Roadmap for $100 Billion Exports in 5 Years', the consulting firm's report asserts that unlocking MSME potential is key to narrowing this gap and placing India among global leaders in textile manufacturing. India's target to hit $100 billion in textile exports in five years revolves largely around how well the country can support and scale its MSMEs, a Primus Partners report says. Textile MSMEs are held back by fragmented value chains, high costs, skill shortages and limited global market access. RMG and home textiles, accounting for 75 per cent of textile exports, are expected to benefit the most. While geopolitical shifts offer an opportunity for Indian firms, textile MSMEs must evolve to exploit this, the report points out. Readymade garments and home textiles, which account for 75 per cent of India's textile exports, are expected to benefit the most. The shift in sourcing patterns by global brands under the 'China Plus One' strategy makes India an increasingly attractive destination—if MSMEs can keep pace. MSMEs may be aggregated into formal clusters, like farmer producer organisations, enabling them to negotiate better pricing, adopt standardised practices and directly access global buyers, it recommends. These aggregations would also improve creditworthiness and streamline supply chain operations. However, a major constraint is skills. Only 15 per cent of workers in the textile manufacturing sector have received formal training, according to the National Skill Development Corporation. This contributes to a 20-30 per cent loss in productivity. Primus Partners suggests setting up dedicated training centres in tier-II and tier-III cities, especially where PM MITRA Parks are coming up, to bridge this gap. Finance remains another bottleneck. MSMEs often struggle to access affordable credit for modernising machinery or expanding operations. The report recommends expanding operational subsidies and employment-linked incentives to reduce input costs and boost competitiveness. Infrastructural inefficiencies, particularly in logistics, continue to inflate production costs. India's logistics costs stand at 14 per cent of GDP, compared to the global benchmark of 8-10 per cent. The report urges faster development of integrated supply chain parks and better port connectivity to support textile MSMEs in becoming export-ready. Trade access is also essential. While competitors like Sri Lanka enjoy duty-free access to Europe under the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP), Indian exporters face tariff disadvantages. The report calls for accelerated negotiations of free trade agreements with the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States to make Indian goods more price-competitive. The report also stresses on the need to integrate textile MSMEs into the growing technical textile segment, projected to reach $274 billion globally by 2027. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
Hans India
18-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Building skills essential: Governor
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati on Friday said skill development and education should go hand-in-hand to create a globally competitive workforce. To achieve this goal, the Governor said there is a need for stronger collaboration between educational institutions and skill development centres. He was speaking during the inauguration of the NSDC's (National Skill Development Corporation) international centre at the Skill Development Institute (SDI), Bhubaneswar. Referring to the National Education Policy 2020, the Governor said there is also a need to integrate skill training with higher education. 'In today's globalised world, building skills is essential for increasing productivity, driving economic growth and empowering society,' he said. Kambhampati said skill development should also include support for entrepreneurship. Institutions should not only impart technical skills but also guide students on how to start businesses, get funding and find opportunities, he added. The Governor also stressed the importance of vocational education from an early age, stating that 'children learn faster than adults and should be introduced to vocational training as part of their curriculum'. On Skill India Mission, he commended the initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015 and appreciated Odisha's contribution under the leadership of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. 'I am happy to witness Odisha emerging as a hub of skill and employment,' he said. The Governor lauded the SDI's state-of-the-art 47-acre campus built with a Rs 500-crore investment and hailed its role as a finishing school for engineering, polytechnic and ITI students. On the occasion, he inaugurated the NSDC International Academy, which aims to prepare youth for overseas employment, and flagged off the 'Skill on Wheel' project -- a mobile training unit designed to deliver outreach training programmes at the doorsteps of various educational institutions across Minister of State for Industries, Skill Development and Technical Education, Sampad Chandra Swain, said the institute will not only impart technical skills but also play a key role in shaping responsible and capable individuals.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Governor opens international academy of NSDC in city
1 2 Bhubaneswar: Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati on Friday inaugurated an international academy of the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) at the Skill Development Institute (SDI) here. He also flagged off a 'Skill on Wheels' bus on the occasion to expand the outreach of skill development. The academy will provide the youth of Odisha and neighbouring states with skills for international career opportunities . It is dedicated to preparing youth for international career opportunities through foreign language training and pre-departure support, official sources said. Through the academy, NSDC and SDI Bhubaneswar aspire to equip youth with the competencies required to succeed in overseas job markets. It will teach youths domain skills, soft skills and international language skills, the sources said. The governor highlighted Odisha's progressive efforts in the field of skill development. "This world-class campus, developed at an investment of Rs 500 crore over 47 acres at the foothills of the historic Barunei hill, stands as a model for skill training excellence with multiple centres of excellence and strong industry collaboration," he added. The 'Skill on Wheels' bus is a mobile training unit equipped with modern infrastructure aimed at delivering doorstep training across educational institutes in the state. "This initiative is another innovative step to democratise access to skill training, bringing modern infrastructure and industry-aligned programs directly to the doorsteps of learners across the state," read the official statement from NSDC. Skill development minister Sampad Chandra Swain said the govt is committed to building the state as the skill hub of eastern India. Skill development and technical education secretary Bhupendra Singh Poonia, Rasmi Govil, director (HR), Indian Oil Corporation, Ranjan Bhowmick, CEO of SDI Bhubaneswar, senior dignitaries from NSDC and other stakeholders, were among those who attended the programme.
The Hindu
01-05-2025
- The Hindu
Rescued Bengal young adults find success after being freed from bonded labour in Tamil Nadu
About 143 young adults from West Bengal working as bonded labourers were rescued from gold manufacturing units in Tamil Nadu between 2019 to 2024. Many of them are scripting their own success stories. Information obtained from the non-government organisation and West Bengal government pointed out that 60 children and young adults were rescued in September 2019, 22 in February 2023, 54 in July 2023, and seven in November 2024. Dipankar Bera, 20, a survivor rescued from a jewellery unit in Chennai, now works as junior officer, operations at fast food barbeque restaurant chain after undergoing training in a Hooghly-based centre under the National Skill Development Corporation. Dipankar, who resides in Hooghly recalls the days when he used to be locked inside a jewellery manufacturing unit in Chennai and says his life is so different now. 'With government's support and training, I now have a proper job. I have a designation, a proper salary, leaves and benefits,' he said. Dipankar's story is also echoed in the experiences of Al Amin (18) who has returned to school and enrolled in a computer course, nurturing his dream of becoming a cyber security expert. Amin is also a community advocate, raising awareness so other young adults fall into the same trap of bonded labours. 'The work at the jewellery unit was gruelling. We and other boys my age worked long hours, crafting hundreds of pieces of gold jewellery daily. The harsh chemicals and metal dust left our hands stained, scarred, and burned,' the youth from North 24 Parganas said. Chiranjit Mondal ( 21) is working as housekeeping staff in a food services and facilities management firm and is not shy of admitting that working conditions in Tamil Nadu from where he was rescued and where he is working now is different. 'The staff where I work treat me with kindness. I am grateful to everyone who supported me in my journey and the workplace that hired me despite my limitations. I am looking forward to working hard and supporting my family in every way I can,' Chiranjit, who hails from Maipeeth in South 24 Parganas said. All the three, Chiranjit Dipankar and Amin were rescued by the Tamil Nadu police from gold jewellery manufacturing units in the southern state. Psychological and Career counselling for those rescued An official of the West Bengal Labour department said the entire rescue and bringing them and handing them over to parents is a convergence of different departments and non government organisations. The official said that those rescued were provided with psychological and career counselling so that they can overcome the trauma and resume work in more dignified conditions. The State government also provided guidance and training to the youths under 'Utkarsh Bangla' scheme. 'West Bengal does not have the problem of bonded labour or child labours. Those rescued are from other states and in case of bonded labourers it is workers from other states who are working here,' the official said. West Bengal government officials said that the young adults, who are rescued are not forced to go but they join the work of other villagers or their relatives from the same neighbourhood. Despite being abolished under the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act 1976, bonded labour continues to persist in hidden, informal sectors, particularly affecting the poorest and most vulnerable communities. Young adults fall prey to such practices on the pretext of employers providing skills in sectors like gold ornament making.
Indian Express
24-04-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
NSDC to impart skill training to Rapido bike riders of Maharashtra, facilitate placements for trainees
The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) has partnered with Rapido, India's largest bike taxi aggregator, to skill and induct riders into the gig economy through formal training and employment linkages. The training programme will assist riders in fulfilling the eligibility requirements stipulated in the Maharashtra government's guidelines for running bike taxis under its new regulatory policy. Under the agreement inked on April 22, NSDC will select and mobilise candidates to undergo training, while Rapido will give access to two-wheelers and deploy trained riders through its mobile application-based platform. Along with training and certification, NSDC will facilitate placement by connecting trainees from its ecosystem to Rapido's platform. It has been designed to equip bike taxi drivers, also referred to as 'captains,' with the necessary technical, behavioural, and safety skills to assume part-time or full-time employment in an increasingly expanding sector. The objective of the initiative is to establish sustainable income prospects for youth through the coordination between NSDC's pan-India skilling infrastructure and Rapido's extensive operating network across cities. NSDC will also co-create standardised training curricula and certify riders under its national framework, enhancing their job preparedness and service quality. 'This collaboration is a step towards strengthening the gig economy by equipping individuals with the skills needed to thrive as driver partners,' said Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO of NSDC and managing director of NSDC International. He added that the initiative will support inclusive growth and connect the workforce with meaningful earning opportunities in India's evolving mobility sector. Under its 'Pink Mobility' initiative, NSDC will also impart training to women captains of Rapido with extra benefits, aligning with the state government's norm of increasing the proportion of women drivers in aggregator's fleet to 50 per cent.
