Union Steel & Mines Minister Shri Narendra Singh Tomar suggests a three-layered framework for skill development in Steel & Mines Industry

Taking forward the Skill development initiative of Government of India to meet the skill requirement of the country and to generate more employment for skilled man power an interface meeting between Ministries of Steel & Mines and Ministry of Skill development & Entrepreneurship was held at Udyog Bhawan today.

Speaking on the occasion, the Union Steel & Mines Minister Shri Narendra Singh Tomar advised the PSUs in Steel & Mines industry to act with a sense of urgency and purpose in the area of skill development. He said, “Adopt a planned approach by assessing need-based skill requirements on short-term and long-term basis. Firstly set targets for your own industry viz. steel or mines, secondly think of requirements of upstream and downstream industry and thirdly the requirements of allied industry. A focused and planned effort can result in far-reaching impact. Instead of working separately on small scale, work cohesively on a bigger scale. Time is of essence, therefore the planning must be completed at the earliest so that execution can begin in earnest.” Shri Tomar laid emphasis on 100 % utilization of the seats for apprentices in the PSUs and directed the PSUs to ensure that no seat remains vacant. He also urged the PSUs to stay updated with latest changes in legislations and laws, so that the intent of the government can be transformed to action on an urgent basis. The end result of all skilling efforts should be to provide employment to the skilled man power he added.

The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy, highlighted the areas of cooperation between the Ministries viz. providing space for training, identifying industry requirements, utilization of CSR funds, contribution to National Skill Development Fund, providing trainers and schools, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), ITI adoption and apprenticeships.

Union Minister of State for Steel & Mines Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, Secretary Steel, Shri Rakesh Singh, Secretary Mines, Dr. Anup K. Pujari, Secretary Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Sunil Arora and other senior officers from the Ministries and PSUs were present on the occasion.

Different issues that came up for discussion included creation of institutes of excellence, project to conduct RPL for existing workforce with focus on service providers, alignment of training infrastructure of PSU/industry with National Occupational Standards (NOS) and Qualification Packs (QP), collaboration with existing training institutes, Utilizing the existing training providers, and identification of junked equipment lying at various facilities & refurbishing it for civilian training.