1990 batch IAS officer and Secretary of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Mr. Atul Kumar Tiwari, inaugurated the IndiaSkills Competition 2024. This event, the largest skill competition in the country, showcases the highest standards of skill development.
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) held the inauguration ceremony at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi. The event saw participation from over 900 students representing more than 30 states and Union Territories, along with over 400 industry experts.
The ceremony featured a cultural programme, with the audience enjoying various dance forms from across the country.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Tiwari said that the IndiaSkills 2024 is not just a competition but a celebration of skill, innovation, and determination. It is a testament to the boundless potential of the youth and their ability to shape the future of the nation, he added. He also said that it is a platform where dreams are realised and aspirations are nurtured. He further said that he is confident about the capabilities of the candidates and is hopeful that they will excel in World Skills 2024.
For the next three days, the participants will be competing in a variety of skills from Construction and Building Technology, Creative Arts and Fashion to Information and Communication Technology, Manufacturing and Engineering Technology, and Transportation and Logistics. The event will close on 19 May with a grand closing ceremony.
Mr. Tiwari also said that IndiaSkills is a platform that nurtures aspirations and fosters creativity. Implementing this event, NSDC will not only position the country ahead of the curve but also pave the way for a more inclusive society. He further informed that IndiaSkills, along with WorldSkills competitions, is playing a pivotal role in building equal societies by creating opportunities to engage with candidates, industry leaders, education partners, governments, and partner countries.
The four-day-long IndiaSkills will allow the participants to showcase their diverse skills and talent on a national platform across 61 skills – from traditional crafts to cutting-edge technologies. While 47 skills competitions will be held onsite, 14 will be held offsite in Karnataka, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat keeping in mind the best infrastructure available.
Participants will also participate in 9 exhibition skills such as Drone-Filming making, Textile-Weaving, Leather-Shoemaking, and prosthetics-makeup.
The students participating in the national-level competition have been trained in ITIs, NSTIs, Polytechnics, institutes of engineering, institutes of nursing, and institutes of biotechnology. This is a testament to the international-standard training Indian youth are receiving in the existing skill network.
Winners of IndiaSkills, with the help of the best industry trainers, will prepare for the WorldSkills Competition scheduled to take place in Lyon, France in September 2024 and will bring together 1,500 competitors from over 70 countries.
This year the participants will have the opportunity to earn credits, within the National Credit Framework. All skills showcased in both the WorldSkills and IndiaSkills Competitions are meticulously aligned with the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), empowering participants to creditize their learning outcomes and lead a thriving careers in their chosen fields. It is also the first time that IndiaSkills has incorporated a competition information system called Qrencia.
About 2.5 lakh candidates registered for the competition on the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) Portal, out of which 26,000 were shortlisted through a process of pre-screening. This data was shared with the states for organising the state- and district-level competition, out of which over 900 students were further shortlisted for the IndiaSkills National competition.
The entire process of selection not only generates a spirit of competition among the participants but also plays a pivotal role in building aspirations for skill development and vocational training among the youth. By showcasing diverse opportunities and creating a competitive yet collaborative environment, such skill competition with active participation from States/UTs, Industry, Academia lays a solid foundation for a skilled workforce that can drive national progress and innovation.
