Introduction
Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state with over 200 million people, faces significant economic challenges, notably below-average per capita income. A major hurdle to its development is the shortage of skilled human resources, leading to high unemployment rates. Recognising this issue, the Uttar Pradesh government has initiated various programs to enhance its workforce’s skills.
Human Resources
Human Resources (HR) refers to the department within an organisation responsible for managing personnel-related functions. This includes tasks such as recruitment, hiring, training, performance evaluation, benefits administration, and employee relations. The primary goal of HR is to ensure that the organisation has the right people with the right skills and capabilities to achieve its objectives.
Human Resources & Skill Development
The relationship between HR and skill development is integral. HR plays a central role in identifying the skill gaps within the workforce, understanding the organisation’s skill requirements, and then devising strategies for skill development. This can involve :
- Training and Development : HR professionals often design and implement training programs to enhance the skills of employees. This may include technical skills, soft skills, or leadership skills.
- Talent Management : HR identifies high-potential employees and works on strategies to develop their skills further, ensuring they can take on more significant roles within the organisation in the future.
- Recruitment and Selection : HR professionals are responsible for recruiting candidates with the desired skills, ensuring that new hires bring valuable skills to the organisation.
- Performance Appraisals : HR conducts performance evaluations to identify areas where employees may need additional training or skill development to meet their job requirements.
In summary, HR and skill development are closely linked because HR is responsible for ensuring that the organisation’s workforce is well-equipped with the skills needed to thrive in their roles and contribute to the company’s success.
Government initiative
UPSDM
Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission (UPSDM) – Transforming Youth Through Skills :
Launched in 2013, UPSDM has a mission to skill over 4 million youth by 2022. It adopts a convergence model, aligning schemes from 6 Ministries with a state skill Development Fund. UPSDM’s dedication earned it the Leadership Award at the 2016 Education and Skill Summit in Jharkhand.
Initiatives :
- Encouraged industry participation in skilling programs.
- “One District, One Product” scheme promotes indigenous products.
- Ensured 60% assured placement in training programs.
- Facilitated overseas employment through NRI Department and partnerships with agencies like Monster.com.
- Government departments prioritise UPSDM-trained youth for outsourced jobs.
- Established a State Skill Development Fund to integrate skill development initiatives.
Skilling Path :
Impact/Outcome:
- Over 5.8 lakh candidates trained, with 7.65 lakh currently enrolled.
- Collaborations with industry giants like Boeing, Amazon, and GE Healthcare for skill training.
- MoU with Maruti Suzuki for automobile-related training.
- Partnerships with placement agencies like Select Job, Saral Rozgar, and Monster.com.
- Flexi MoUs with 19 industrial groups for candidate training and placement, including Raymond and Larsen & Toubro.
Recent Initiative
Women Drivers :
The Uttar Pradesh government, under the Skill Development Mission, is preparing to train a second group of women drivers to operate pink buses. These female drivers, who have successfully registered, will receive training and eventually join the bus service. This initiative aims to improve the safety of female travellers in the state. Currently, 21 women drivers are undergoing training at various depots, with plans for them to operate pink buses in January 2024 after 17 months of training. The training program began in September 2022, with candidates from multiple districts participating.
7.50 lakh youths have been trained :
In Uttar Pradesh, over 4.80 lakh rural women have received training in testing water quality, leading to improved health conditions and reduced water-borne diseases. These women use field test kits to conduct water quality checks in their villages. Additionally, around 7.50 lakh youths in the state have been trained in various skills, including plumbing, electrical work, motor mechanics, and masonry. This training has created employment opportunities within their villages, with trainees working as local pump operators. Several districts, including Jaunpur, Azamgarh, and Sitapur, have seen significant training activities. Moreover, the parched Bundelkhand region has also benefited from training initiatives, with districts like Jalaun and Jhansi having a substantial number of trainees.
UP Government announces skill training on 5G Technology under Skill Mission :
The Uttar Pradesh government plans to launch a 5G technology training program under the Skill Development Mission to create an IT Talent Pool. This initiative aims to equip youth with skills in emerging technologies to tap into growing IT opportunities in the state. It anticipates a rising demand for 5G technology professionals in the telecom sector. This training is seen as crucial for the successful implementation of other emerging technologies like IoT and edge computing. Over 1,000 candidates will be trained and employed within the next 8 months in cities like Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra, and Varanasi. The program includes three courses and a total capital expenditure of Rs 2.8 crore, funded by the state government. The training program will be conducted in five phases, covering recruitment, counselling, monitoring, placement, and ongoing support for candidates.
UP announces subsidy on skill development in EV Manufacturing :
The Uttar Pradesh government is amending its electric vehicle (EV) policy to boost battery-powered automobile manufacturing in the state. CM Yogi Adityanath announced subsidies and incentives for skill development in EV manufacturing units. Companies investing in EV manufacturing will receive a one-time subsidy of Rs 5,000 per year per employee, up to 50 employees, as stipend reimbursement for defined manufacturing projects. Additionally, subsidies will be provided for training up to 10 employees annually. Eligibility requires employees to have worked in the manufacturing unit for 12 months before training. Incentives are granted after commercial production begins, not exceeding 100% of fixed capital investment.
World Skill Centre in plans to impart advance skill training :
The Uttar Pradesh government is developing the World Skill Center project to provide advanced-level skill training to the state’s youth, enabling them to work both domestically and abroad. This initiative aims to empower the state’s youth by raising their skills to international standards through collaboration with international experts. The center will offer courses in high-demand fields to prepare youth for global job markets. International partners, including TUV SUD Germany and EHL Switzerland, are expected to be involved in this project. The presentation of this project to the chief minister is pending approval, and efforts will be made to implement it once approved.
4000 Crores to be spent on upgradation 150 ITIS in Uttar Pradesh :
Uttar Pradesh has attracted significant investment proposals totaling Rs. 33.5 lakh crores during a recent Global Investors Summit, potentially generating 90 lakh jobs. To provide skill training to the youth, the state plans to upgrade 150 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). Tata Technology Ltd (TTL) will undertake this project, with Tata Group investing around Rs 4,000 crore, and the state government contributing Rs 1,190 crore. After the upgrade, each ITI will offer training in 11 new trades and 23 short-term courses, aligning with the state’s job market demands. TTL will modernise the institutes with equipment and machinery, enhancing youth skill development.
Uttar Pradesh Global Investor Summit, highlighted state’s work in education and skill development :
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Uttar Pradesh Global Investors Summit 2023 in Lucknow. The event includes the Global Trade Show and the launch of Invest UP 2.0. This summit aims to bring together policymakers, industry leaders, and global representatives to explore business opportunities and partnerships. Industry leaders like Kumar Mangalam Birla, Mukesh Ambani, and Natarajan Chandrasekaran praised India’s economic dynamism and the Prime Minister’s leadership. PM Modi highlighted UP’s transformation in governance and its role as a source of hope and inspiration. He emphasised opportunities in infrastructure, health, education, green growth, and skill development. The Prime Minister urged investors to be part of India’s prosperity journey.
Summary
Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state in India, with a population of over 200 million people. It is also one of the poorest states in the country, with a per capita income that is below the national average.
One of the major challenges facing Uttar Pradesh is the lack of skilled human resources.
The lack of skilled human resources is a major obstacle to economic development in Uttar Pradesh. It is also a major reason for the high unemployment rate in the state.
The government of Uttar Pradesh has recognised the importance of skill development and has launched a number of initiatives to improve the skills of its workforce. These initiatives include:
- The Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission (UPSDM): The UPSDM is the nodal agency for skill development in Uttar Pradesh. It is responsible for coordinating the efforts of various departments and agencies involved in skill development.
- The Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY): The PMKVY is a centrally sponsored scheme that provides free skill training to youth. The UPSDM is the implementing agency for the PMKVY in Uttar Pradesh.
- The Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs): ITIs are government-run institutions that provide vocational training in a variety of trades. The UPSDM is responsible for overseeing the ITIs in Uttar Pradesh.
- The Polytechnics: Polytechnics are government-run institutions that provide diploma-level courses in engineering and technology. The UPSDM is responsible for overseeing the polytechnics in Uttar Pradesh.
The UPSDM has also partnered with private training providers to offer skill training in a variety of sectors.
These initiatives have resulted in an increase in the number of people receiving skill training in Uttar Pradesh. However, there is still a long way to go. According to the NSDC, Uttar Pradesh needs to train an additional 10 million people by 2022 in order to meet its skill requirements.
The government of Uttar Pradesh is committed to improving the skills of its workforce. The initiatives that it has launched are a step in the right direction. However, more needs to be done to ensure that all youth in Uttar Pradesh have the opportunity to acquire the skills they need to succeed in the workforce.
UP Government Schemes, Projects and Planned Development for welfare of People