Miscellaneous Schemes under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
1. SANKALP
(Skills Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion)
This scheme, launched in 2017 takes a reformative approach to skill development by focusing on both quantity and quality of short-term training.
🔹 Aim
- Improve institutional capacity, especially of State Skill Development Missions (SSDMs)
- Enhance market linkage and ensure social inclusion
🔹 Support
- Financially supported by a loan from the World Bank
- Focuses on bottom-up governance, encouraging States/UTs to innovate in implementation
2. STRIVE
(Skill Strengthening for Industrial Value Enhancement)
STRIVE, launched in 2017 is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme aimed at reforming India’s long-term skilling institutions.
🔹 Aim
- Improve the relevance and quality of skill training provided through:
- Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs)
- Apprenticeships
- Focus on industry connect, outcome-based funding, and capacity building
🔹 Key Feature
- Outcome-focused strategy—emphasis on measurable results, not just inputs (like number of trainees or workshops)
3. SkillsBuild Platform
This is a digital skilling initiative launched in 2019, built in collaboration with IBM and its global partners.
🔹 Aim
- Create a job-ready workforce for ‘new collar’ careers (emerging tech-driven jobs)
🔹 Key Features
- Offers digital content from IBM, Skillsoft, CodeDoor, and Coorpacademy
- Provides a two-year advanced diploma in:
- IT
- Networking
- Cloud computing
- Run in ITIs and NSTIs
- Also trains faculty members in emerging domains like Artificial Intelligence (AI)
4. Model Skill Loan Scheme
(Linked to the Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme for Skill Development – CCFSSD)
This is a financial assistance programme, focused on removing access barriers to high-quality skilling.
🔹 Background
- Launched in 2015, under the larger skill finance ecosystem
🔹 Purpose
- Support students pursuing advanced-level skill development courses, including emerging technologies
🔹 Student Eligibility
- Students from:
- ITIs, Polytechnics
- Recognized schools and colleges
- NSDC training partners
- State Skill Missions
🔹 Financial Support
- Collateral-free loan up to ₹7.5 lakhs
- No minimum course duration required
This allows even poor students to access high-quality, often expensive, skilling courses—thus democratizing access to opportunity.