Moving a step closer to the vision of making India the "Skill Capital of the World", Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday laid the foundation stone for the country's first Indian Institute of Skills (IIS) here.The IIS was conceptualised by Modi during his visit to Singapore's Institute of Technical Education.The Institute is being opened by the Skill Development Ministry, in partnership with the Institute of Technical Education, Singapore.The Ministry has decided to have six such institutes in the country. In the next three years, various industries will train and employ approximately four lakh youth through the Skill India programme.The Prime Minister also inaugurated the "Kaushal Pradarshini" (Skill Exhibition) for the youth of Uttar Pradesh. The exhibition, open to public during December 19-22, showcases state-of-the-art vocational training practices across different sectors.
He also launched a number of skill development initiatives, including Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras (PMKKs) and Drivers' Training Institutes. The National Skill Development Council has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with OLA cabs for drivers' training.Under the "National Apprentice Promotion Scheme", the Ministry of Skill Development has targeted enrolling at least five lakh apprentices from across the country for training with the corporates.Modi also distributed skill certificates to street food vendors and leather industry workers in recognition of prior learning programme of the government.The Ministry also plans to open one Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra in each district of India. These Kendras are envisaged to be skill development centres with modern infrastructure for skill training.