GS 3: Economy | Development & Employment

Why in News?

The government unveiled new guidelines for Jan Shikshan Sansthans (JSS) aligning them to the National Skills Qualification Framework with an aim to providing standardised training across sectors.

Scope of JSS:

• Develop/Source appropriate curriculum and training modules covering vocational elements general awareness and life enrichment components.
• Wherever possible, JSSs are encouraged to undertake training equivalent to courses designed by the Directorate of Adult Education, National Institute of Open Schooling and Director General, Employment & Training.
• Provide training to a pool of resource persons and master trainers for conducting training as also availability of infrastructure and training – specific equipment.
• Administer simple tests and award certificates.
• Network with employers and industries for trainees to get suitable placements.

Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS):

• The scheme of JSS was initially launched in 1967 as Shramik Vidyapeeth, a polyvalent or multi-faceted adult education institution.
• Formerly under the Ministry of Human Resources Development, JSS was transferred to the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in 2018.
• It was aimed at improving the vocational skills and quality of life of the industrial workers and their family members as well as those persons who had been migrating from rural to urban settings.
• Now it has challenging mandate of providing vocational skills to non-literate, neo-literates as well as school drop-outs by identifying skills that have a market in the region of their establishment.

Benefits and progress:

• JSS guidelines have been reformed keeping in mind the diverse stake-holders engaged in running these institutions.
• The JSS can play an important role in bridging information asymmetry between skill training and market opportunities thereby giving an impetus to the creation of a workforce equipped in technology-driven skills.
• By aligning JSSs to the National Skill Framework, the government aims to provide standardised training across sectors.
• Out of the 247 active JSSs, 43 have been established across 42 Aspirational Districts identified by NITI Aayog.
• The ministry will soon be introducing a few more in the LWE (left-wing extremism affected) regions to promote skill development of the youth in the region.
• In the past five years, over eight lakh people have benefitted from the JSS scheme. More than 86,000 men have been registered.
• More importantly there has been an unprecedented surge in the registration of women, with over 7 lakh registrations.
• It further said the JSSs have helped open over 1 lakh bank accounts under Jan Dhan Yojana and mobilised around 7.5 lakh beneficiaries who were enrolled in PM Suraksha Bima Yojana.
• With a substantial rise in establishment of more than 1 lakh entrepreneurs, JSS has successfully generated employment across various sectors.