Minister Pradhan also took advantage of this significant occasion to honor the 18 winners of the WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition, praising their exceptional talents and skills exhibited at the competition. India took part in 50 skills and achieved the 11th position, earning 2 silver medals, 3 bronze medals, and 13 medallions for excellence. A grand event was held to honor the winners and their expert trainers with certificates and cash prizes.

The event witnessed the presence of esteemed dignitaries, comprising Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), M Jagadesh Kumar, UGC Chairperson, Krishna Kumar Dwivedi, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Professor T G Sitharam, Chairperson of AICTE, Trishaljit Sethi, Director General (Training), and Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO of NSDC and Managing Director of NSDC International.

The WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition served as the authorized replacement for WorldSkills Shanghai 2022, which was canceled in May because of the pandemic. In contrast to its initial structure, the skill competitions were conducted across 15 countries and regions over a period of 12 weeks, spanning from September 7 to November 26, 2022.

The WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition attracted over 400,000 visitors during its 84-day run across 29 distinct events. India’s participation encompassed 50 skills, involving 56 competitors and 50 experts. Notably, there was a significant 19% female participation in skills that were conventionally male-dominated, such as welding, plumbing and heating, CNC Milling, CNC Turning, Electronics, and Bricklaying. This aligns with the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi to harness the potential of Nari Shakti for the nation’s progress and development.

Additionally, the transition from 39th place in the World Skills Competition in 2011 to 11th place in 2022 underscores the growing demand for comprehensive cross-industry training for young individuals. This broader approach aims to expand their career opportunities and provide the workforce with a wide range of skills, enhancing their prospects in today’s competitive job market.

IndiaSkills 2023 serves as a precursor to the prestigious WorldSkills competition. Outstanding participants who excel in IndiaSkills at the national level will earn the opportunity to represent India at the global event in Paris next year.

According to Minister Pradhan, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, equal importance has been placed on competencies, applied knowledge, and hands-on training to lead in the 21st century. These skill competitions represent a vital component of the skilling system, enhancing the employability and market acceptance of India’s youth, who play a pivotal role in nation-building. Minister Pradhan emphasized the necessity of boosting the number of participants from 0.25 million last year to 2.5 million this year.

The official list of the 18 winners of WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition can be accessed here: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1968480

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However, the bill will not encompass medical and law colleges within its purview.

According to Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the bill will have three major roles: regulation, accreditation, and setting professional standards. However, the fourth vertical, pertaining to funding, will not be covered by the HECI bill, and the autonomy for funding will remain under the purview of the administrative ministry.

Upon enactment, the bill is anticipated to supplant the University Grants Commission (UGC), the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE). The UGC currently governs non-technical higher education, the AICTE is responsible for technical education, and the NCTE functions as the regulatory authority for teacher education.

Furthermore, according to Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the HECI bill will soon be introduced in Parliament. However, even after its introduction, the bill will undergo scrutiny by a standing committee, a crucial step to ensure a thorough examination and refinement of the proposed legislation before it becomes law.

In 2018, a draft bill titled the “Higher Education Commission of India (Repeal of University Grants Commission Act) Bill” was made available to the public for input and discussion. This bill aimed to replace the UGC Act and establish the Higher Education Commission of India. Upon becoming the Education Minister in 2021, Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan redoubled efforts to advance the implementation of the HECI bill.

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