The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, presided over the meeting of Prime Minister’s National Skill Development Council yesterday. Shri Ramadorai, Adviser to the Prime Minister made a presentation on the overall skill development vision for the 12th Five Year Plan. The Ministers of Finance, Labour, Human Resources Development, Rural Development, Social Justice & Empowerment, Dy. Chairman, Planning Commission and other members of the Council participated.

The Council decided to give skill development a major push in the year 2012-13 and during the 12th Five Year Plan. It was decided to increase the skill development targets so as to upscale the skill development initiative in a transformational way. Shri Ramadorai was tasked to prepare a detailed proposal for mainstreaming the skill agenda in the 12th Plan in consultation with the Planning Commission.

It was agreed that the Ministries will focus on skill development of SC/ST, minorities, backward classes, people with disabilities and women. It also agreed that National Skill Development Council will set up Sector Skill Councils, which will urgently prepare the standards required for skill training programmes in consultation with the industry.