Why in News?

• The Union Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, GOI awarded Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Certificates to more than one thousand workers from the leather sector in Chennai. He also launched the Mochi Swabhimaan Initiative.

RPL Certificates:

• RPL certificates are given under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) of Skill India to the unorganised semi-skilled and unskilled workers.
• These certificates can help them get assessed and certified on their current competencies as per NSQF levels (National Skills Qualifications Framework).
• RPL also shows them a path to bridge their current knowledge and skill levels to reach a competency level or go for higher skills for professional growth.
• The RPL scheme envisions to impart skill-based training to one crore people between 2016 and 2020.
• The certificates can give workers the chance to go for higher education in their respective fields.It will also give them different options in upgrading and upskilling.
• RPL certificates certify skills acquired informally and drive young people to venture into aspirational job roles.
• The industry will also be benefitted because formalizing the skills of employees will give a clear picture of the available skill sets, skill gaps and the need for upgradation to achieve desired quality and productivity benchmarks.

Mochi Swabhimaan Initiative:

• It is a nationwide activity in which the Leather Sector Skill Council (LSSC) will extend support to the cobbler community who provide leather-based services, with CSR funds and bring respect to their skills by giving them a better working environment in the form of kiosks/umbrellas.

Leather Sector Skill Council (LSSC):

• It is a non-profit organisation dedicated to meeting the demand for skilled workforce in the leather industry in India.
• The LSSC was set up in 2012 as one of the key sector skill councils approved by National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).
• The LSSC caters to the training and employment needs of various subsectors in the leather industry such as finished leather, footwear, garments, leather goods, accessories, saddlery and harness sectors.
• It also has a partnership with the Council of Leather Exports (CLE).