National Council for Vocational Education
and Training (NCVET): The Union Cabinet approved the merger of the existing regulatory institutions in the skills space viz; National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) and National Skill Development Agency (NSDA) into the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET).NCVET will regulate the functioning of entities engaged in vocational education and training, both long-term and short-term and establish minimum standards for the functioning of such entities. The primary functions of NCVET include:(i) recognition and regulation of awarding bodies, assessment bodies and skill related information providers; (ii) approval of qualifications developed by awarding bodies and Sector Skill Councils (SSCs); (iii) indirect regulation of vocational training institutes through awarding bodies and assessment agencies; etc. Regulatory functions being carried out by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) through the Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) would henceforth be housed in the NCVET.
This institutional refoim will lead to improvement in quality and market relevance of skill development programmes lending credibility to vocational education and training encouraging greater private investment and employer participation in the skills space. It would enhance aspirational value of vocational education and increase availability of skilled manpower making India the skill capital of the world. To sum up, for long term employability of the rural youth, it is essential to ensure that youth complete at least the required secondary level schooling that is essential for pursuing skill development courses that would provide sustainable employment. In the era of rapid technological development, the emphasis of skilling should shift from short-term courses to long term courses so that the youth are able to sustain in the rapidly evolving job market.
