An ongoing study conducted by the National Skill Development Corporation has claimed that Bihar would need to produce more than 63 lakh skilled labourers for 14 industrial sectors by 2023.
This manpower requirement would also turn the state into a big market for private firms involved in skill development.
So far, eight skill development firms have tied up with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) in the past two years to train workers in the state.
“The corporation views Bihar as one of the important states for manpower development. According to the preliminary findings of our ongoing skill-gap study, around six million skilled labourers would be required in Bihar by 2023,” Dilip H.M. Chenoy, managing director and chief executive officer, NSDC, told The Telegraph.
He added: “In pursuance of manpower skill development, the NSDC signed a memorandum of understanding with Bihar Board and Open Schooling and Examination last November. Eight private partners of NSDC are currently operating in Bihar and eight more approved partners would soon start their operations.”
According to the preliminary findings of the study, the construction industry — the largest among the 14 sectors — would absorb 19,78,597 workers. Agriculture and food procession industry, the second on the list, would need 15,34,733 people. The trade and hospitality industry would need 6,06,487 labourers.
Other states like Punjab, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Delhi would also absorb some of the workforce trained in Bihar for construction and domestic services.
Skilled and semi-skilled electricians, carpenters, plumbers, machinists, fitters, welders, drivers, mechanics, mill-factory workers, securitymen, guards and domestic helps would also migrate to other states to seek employment.
The NSDC was formed with the announcement of P. Chidambaram, who was Union finance minister then, in his 2008-09 budget speech to train 500 million people to become skilled labourers by 2023. Funds of Rs 2,500 crore had been sanctioned to acheive this target through public-private partnerships.
“As 16 government departments are already working for skill development, the NSDC mainly invites partnership from non-government organisations, individuals or private agencies, which agree to impart training to at least 10 lakh people in 10 years and ensure placement for at least 70 per cent of them,” said Sumali Moitra, public relations officer, NSDC.
He added: “The NSDC enters into partnerships with the willing firms in three ways — funding 75 per cent of their project costs, facilitating loans and becoming equity partner in the agency/firm, with the corporation’s maximum equity at 27 per cent. The funds come through National Skill Development Fund, a government-owned trust.”
