The Ministry of Labour & Development has initiated a unique Skill Development Initiative (SDI) Scheme under its plan of Training Infrastructure Extension. The scheme is based on Modular Employable Skills (MES) framework to provide vocational training for early school leavers and existing workers, especially in the unorganized sector to improve their employability. Since its inception, 6454 Vocational Training Providers (VTPs) have been registered to provide training under the Scheme adopting flexible delivery mechanism (part time, weekend, full time, onsite/offsite) to suit needs of various target groups. 1260 demand driven short term training course based on Modular Employable Skills (MES) were developed. During last two years, 10.12 lakh persons have been trained / tested and cumulatively 11.55 lakh persons trained/tested during last four years. 36 Assessing Bodies have been empanelled to conduct assessment all over the country.

Besides, A new scheme on ‘Enhancing Skill Development in North-East States and Sikkim’ has been approved in March, 2011 with an outlay of Rs.57.39 crore and an amount of Rs.12.80 crore has been released to the State Governments of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland & Sikkim. A scheme on ‘Skill Development in 34 districts affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE)’ with an outlay of Rs.232.95 crore for setting up of ITIs and SDCs has been approved and the concerned State Governments have been asked to submit their proposals. A scheme titled ‘Kaushal Vikas Yojana’ for setting up of 1500 ITIs and 5000 SDCs in Public Private Partnership in unserviced blocks has also been prepared and is under process of approval. A Scheme for setting up of 15 Advanced Training Institutes (ATIs) and 12 Regional Vocational Training Institutes (RVTIs) is under process of approval.

  20 Vocational Rehabilitation Centres for Handicapped (VRCs) are run across the country to cater to the economic rehabilitation of different categories of handicapped persons. The main objective of these Centres is to evaluate the residual capacities of persons with disabilities, impart vocational training and extend them vocational rehabilitation assistance. Out of total intake of more than 60,000 candidates during 2009-10 and 2010-11, around 23,000 have been rehabilitated. Further, 23 Coaching-cum-Guidance Centres for SCs/STs in the country, have been set up for the benefit of schedule castes and scheduled tribes. These centres provide Vocational Guidance/Career Counseling services/ training to the educated SC/ST job seekers in order to enhance their employability. About 1 lakh persons have benefited during 2009-10 and 2010-11.

        Under the initiative of Expansion of Training Infrastructure during the last two years, 1894 new ITIs/ITCs have been set up and seating capacity has increased by 2.73 lakhs.  The number of trained persons increased to 20.16 lakh persons in 2010-11 against 18.89 lakh in 2009-10 under vocational training such as Craftsmen Training Scheme, Apprenticeship Training Scheme, Modular Employable Skills scheme under SDI and training of instructors and women through different DGE&T institutes. The placement rate increased to about 80% in 2010-11 in those ITIs where modernization has taken place and new courses have been introduced.  [The placement rate was about 35% in 2003 when the last survey was done by ILO]. A Vocational Training Improvement Project (upgradation of 400 ITIs into Centres of Excellence) is being implemented with World Bank Assistance. The upgradation of ITIs is done through setting up of new classrooms, workshops, modernization of tools, equipment and machinery, training of trainers, etc. Another scheme of upgradation of 1396 Government ITIs through Public Private Partnership is also being implemented to improve the employment outcome of graduates from the vocational training system, by making design and delivery of training more demand responsive. Under this scheme an Institute Management Committee (IMC), headed by the Industry Partner is constituted in the ITI and registered as a Society. Interest free loan of upto Rs.2.5 crore is given by the Central Government directly to the IMC Society and financial and academic autonomy is given to the IMC society.