Union Minister for Education, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan formally announced the commencement of IndiaSkills 2023, the highly anticipated National Skill Competition within the nation. This enables candidates to officially register on the Skill India Digital platform.
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
