Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajiv Pratap Rudy inaugurated Delhi’s first ever Army Skill Training Centre (ASTC) out of the total 10 centres that have been planned all across the country, as part of the partnership between Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and Ministry of Defense. These centres are set up to enable the skill training and development exclusively of Army Wives and Wards. As part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Indian Army and National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under the aegis of the two Ministries, this new Centre which has been built shall offer courses across 4 trades including Beauty & Wellness, Apparel, Handicrafts and IT-ITeS conducted by an NSDC affiliated Training Partner and is rolled out under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY). The beneficiaries will be linked to jobs and entrepreneurship activities post completion of the course. The current centre which is situated in the Dhaula Kuan of Delhi Cantt Area has an annual training capacity of 750 people. The centre was inaugurated with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Dalbir Singh, AWWA President Mrs. Namita Suhag and other officials and dignitaries.
Lauding the efforts of the Indian Army and Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA), Shri Rudy said, “I am extremely proud to see our promised being delivered. Thanks to the Army Wives Welfare Association, the Indian Army in conjunction with our team, for setting up this centre under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) in record 3 month time period. We hope we will able to contribute to the lives of the Army wives and wards through this initiative of skill development. This institution will set the foundation for such centres to be opened across the country under the regional commands by way of up-gradation of select existing Vocational Training Centres.” “This is a great opportunity for me personally to thank our Jawans and salute their families who have been a huge support system to our force, through their constant motivation and unconditional co-operation. This will be our contribution to give them a direction in their career ahead.” The launch of the Centre was done marking the occasion of the golden jubilee celebration of AWWA. With the inauguration of the ASTC, the Indian Army now embarks on a new mission by bringing the army spouses and wards into the folds of the skilling landscape. The pilot project to skill the Indian Army spouses and wards with linkages to NSDC will make all those undergoing training eligible for being sponsored under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojna (PMKVY) scheme. Trainees on successful completion of their respective course will get NSDC certification and the training partner will make due endeavours to ensure that they are suitably placed in various organisations for employment or assisted towards self-employment.