MSDE launches comprehensive reforms for Jan Shikshan Sansthan

In his inaugural address, Sh. Pradhan said that the emergence of the rural industry as an important growth engine for the economy makes it imperative for us to stress on skilling our youth of the country.

In a bid to boost skill training and entrepreneurship in the remotest corners of the country, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) today announced comprehensive reforms for Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS), to further strengthen the ecosystem benefiting those in the underprivileged sections of society.

The announcements were made here today during the National Conference for Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSSs) which was inaugurated by the Union Minister of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Petroleum & Natural Gas Sh. Dharmendra Pradhan. He also launched JSS Portal.

In his inaugural address, Sh. Pradhan said that the emergence of the rural industry as an important growth engine for the economy makes it imperative for us to stress on skilling our youth of the country. JSSs can play an important role in connecting skilled and trained individuals with markets in urban and distant places, thereby giving an impetus to the creation of a workforce equipped in technology-driven skills, including in areas like health & wellness, tourism, retail and trade. The network that JSS has, will enable producers and makers to access a wider and broader marketplace, connecting them with customers.

By linking JSSs with NSQF, we will also be able to bring uniformity in the skill curriculum, aligning them to the formal economy and giving them the opportunity to access formal financing to upscale their businesses. He said that in its five decades-long journeys, JSS has done excellent work by being instrumental in skill training and introducing avenues of entrepreneurship among the socio-economically backward and educationally disadvantaged groups such as neo-literates, semi-literates, SCs, STs, women, slum dwellers, migrant workers. He said the technological advancement and economic growth has opened up new avenues for skill development. Crores of people are joining the new workforce in the country and there is a need for regular and appropriate skill upgradation.

The Minister said that Central Govt., State Govts., NGOs and all stakeholders have to work together in a responsible manner in this direction. He said there is a number of fields which needs to be tapped for providing skills as per the local requirements and resources. He said that funding for skill development is not an issue as companies have to spend on such activities under the CSR guidelines. Sh. Pradhan said JSS has an important role in creating skill ecosystem in the country.

Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS), formerly known as Shramik Vidhyapeeth, was established in 1967 by the then Ministry of Education and Culture, Govt. of India. In the year 2000, the scheme was renamed "Jan Shikshan Sansthan" and its coverage was extended to rural areas. The scheme of JSS has now been transferred from the Ministry of Human Resource Development to the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

The release of New Guidelines

The launch of these strategic guidelines is an attempt by the MSDE to re-energize and reinvigorate the Jan Shikshan Sansthan. By aligning JSSs to the National Skill Framework, the Government aims to provide standardised training across sectors. Key highlights of the guidelines are:

Alignment of JSS course and curriculum to National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) to standardize training

Decentralization of powers for JSSs- giving more accountability and independence to the district administration

To identify and promote traditional skills in the district through skilling / upskilling;

Evidence-based assessment systemEasy Online certificationLinking JSS to PFMS (Public Finance Management system) maintaining transparency and accountability of the ecosystem

Creating livelihood linkagesTraining of Trainers to develop the capacity through NSTIs (National Skills Training Institutes)

JSS portal launch:

The Minister also announced the launch of a new website (www.jss.gov.in) which will furnish information on action plans, a database of beneficiaries and stakeholders, details of finance and expenditure and other ongoing developments along with public log-in access.

(With Inputs from PIB)