Govt launches new reforms, guidelines to strengthen Jan Shikshan Sansthans

NEW DELHI, JANUARY 24: In a bid to boost skill training and entrepreneurship in the remotest corners of the country, Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Petroleum and Natural Gas (MSDE) has announced comprehensive reforms for Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS), to further strengthen the skills ecosystem benefiting those in the underprivileged sections of society.

The announcements were made during the National Conference for Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSSs) which saw a gathering of more than 700+ people from JSS across India.

Formerly under the Ministry of Human Resources Development, Jan Shikshan Sansthan has been transferred to the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship in 2018. Today’s conference saw the release of new guidelines, aligning the JSSs to the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF). This marks an important step towards the convergence of all skilling activities under the aegis of one ministry, bringing in transparency and accountability to the entire skilling ecosystem.

Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) has been instrumental in skill training and introducing avenues of entrepreneurship among the socio-economically backward and educationally disadvantaged groups such as neo-literates, semi-literates, SCs, STs, women and girls, slum dwellers, migrant workers. By bringing them under the aegis of the national skill framework, the agenda of today’s event was to align all skilling activities to a common cause of skill development at the district and gram level.

Dharmendra Pradhan said “The emergence of the rural industry as an important growth engine for the economy makes it an imperative for us to stress on skilling our youth in remote districts of the country. JSSs can play an important role in bridging information asymmetry between skill training and market opportunities thereby giving an impetus to the creation of a workforce equipped in technology-driven skills, including in areas like health & wellness, tourism, e-commerce, retail and trade.JSS guidelines have been reformed keeping in mind the diverse stakeholders engaged in running these institutions, and will bring in greater flexibility, transparency and uniformity.”

Giving an overview on the direction being given to JSS, Juthika Patankar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship said, “A skilled society is an essential precondition for achieving social and economic advancement for any country. The re-energised JSS form a unique position for themselves and I am certain that their convergence under Skill India will help bring in a mindset shift amongst our rural youth, to make vocational education and technical training as a preferred career choice. Skilling will not only make them independent but will also help in arresting migration from rural areas to already choked metros.”