IndiaSkills 2024, India’s national skills competition for biennial WorldSkills competition selection, kickstarted on May 15 in New Delhi. Nine hundred participants will compete in as many 61 types of skills over the next three days leading to national winners in these trades as well as reserving their berths for country’s contingent to WorldSkills Competition scheduled to take place in Lyon, France in September 2024.
The four-day-long IndiaSkills will allow the participants to showcase their diverse skills and talent on a national platform across 61 skills – from traditional crafts to cutting-edge technologies. While 47 skills competitions will be held onsite, 14 will be held offsite in Karnataka, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat keeping in mind the best infrastructure available.
Participants will also participate in 9 exhibition skills such as Drone-Filming making, Textile-Weaving, Leather-Shoemaking, and prosthetics-makeup.
The students participating in the national-level competition have been trained in ITIs, NSTIs, Polytechnics, institutes of engineering, institutes of nursing, and institutes of biotechnology. This is a testament to the international-standard training Indian youth are receiving in the existing skill network.
The competition was declared open by Atul Kumar Tiwari, secretary, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) at the newly built Yashobhoomi, Dwarka convention centre amidst lot of excitement for the biggest festival celebrating skills. Coming after a gap of two years, IndiaSkills participants will have the opportunity to earn credits, within the National Credit Framework. All skills showcased in both the WorldSkills and IndiaSkills Competitions are meticulously aligned with the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), empowering participants to creditize their learning outcomes and lead a thriving career in their chosen fields. It is also the first time that IndiaSkills has incorporated a competition information system called Qrencia.
Speaking at the opening ceremony attended by Nilambuj Sharan, Senior Economic Advisor, MSDE, officials from MSDE, NSDC and all states/UTs, Sector Skill Council chiefs, industry experts and mentors, Atul Kumar Tiwari said that the IndiaSkills 2024 is not just a competition but a celebration of skill, innovation, and determination. It is a testament to the boundless potential of the youth and their ability to shape the future of the nation, he added. He also said that it is a platform where dreams are realised and aspirations are nurtured. He further said that he is confident about the capabilities of the candidates and is hopeful that they will excel in WorldSkills 2024.
It is pertinent to mention that about 2.5 lakh candidates registered for the competition on the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) Portal, out of which 26,000 were shortlisted through a process of pre-screening. This data was shared with the states for organising the state- and district-level competition, out of which over 900 students were further shortlisted for the IndiaSkills National competition.
The entire process of selection not only generates a spirit of competition among the participants but also plays a pivotal role in building aspirations for skill development and vocational training among the youth. By showcasing diverse opportunities and creating a competitive yet collaborative environment, such skill competition with active participation from States/UTs, Industry, Academia lays a solid foundation for a skilled workforce that can drive national progress and innovation.
