Dharmendra Pradhan Launches New Reforms, Guidelines to Strengthen Jan Shikshan Santhans

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) today 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 today during the National Conference for Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSSs) which was held today at the AICTE Auditorium in New Delhi; and 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, Hon'ble Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, 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.”

“Today, out of the 247 active JSS, we already have 43 JSSs established across 42 Aspirational Districts identified by NITI Aayog and we will soon be introducing a few more in the LWE regions to promote skill development of the youth in the region and help them connect back into mainstream economy. I am positive of the change that the JSS will bring to the ecosystem,” she further added.

Release of New Guidelines

The launch of these strategic guidelines is an attempt by the MSDE to re-energize and reinvigorate the Jan Shikshan Sansthans. By aligning JSSs to the National Skill Framework, the Government aims to provide standardised training across sectors. Key highlights of the guidelines are:

Alignment of JSS course and curriculum to National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) to standardize training
Decentralization of powers for JSSs- giving more accountability and independence to district administration
To identify and promote traditional skills in the district through skilling / upskilling;
Evidence based assessment system
Easy Online certification
Linking JSS to PFMS (Public Finance Management system) maintaining transparency and accountability of the ecosystem
Creating livelihood linkages
Training of Trainers to develop the capacity through NSTIs (National Skills Training Institutes)