In pursuit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to transform India into a digital nation and equip rural youth for employment opportunities, a series of initiatives are being implemented. One noteworthy endeavor, known as “Skills on Wheels,” is geared towards providing essential digital skills to youngsters in remote areas, with a special focus on empowering women. This initiative aims to not only prepare them for the future but also enhance their employability by imparting specific vocational skills.
The innovative “Skills on Wheels” program was conceptualized by Lend A Hand India, a non-governmental organization based in Pune. Its official launch ceremony featured prominent figures such as Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Education and Skill Development Minister, and Om Birla, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, in collaboration with the National Skill Development Corporation and IndusInd Bank.
The heart of “Skills on Wheels” is a mobile vocational laboratory, cleverly constructed on a truck chassis and outfitted with audio-visual facilities, Wi-Fi, and a generator. This mobile lab serves a dual purpose: as an on-the-go training center and as an advocacy tool. Its outreach efforts target 10th and 12th-grade students, with a primary focus on unemployed youth and individuals who dropped out of school or college, particularly women.
Inside the lab, trained vocational instructors offer skill training in various fields, including plumbing, welding, food processing, electrical wiring, mobile repairs, basic healthcare, and food processing. An important component of this initiative is fostering digital literacy and skills to align with India’s global competitiveness objectives.
Over a span of five years, the program aims to empower 60,000 youth, ultimately improving the livelihoods of rural households through skill development. Dharmendra Pradhan emphasized during the launch that this customized bus, equipped with retrofit tools, will take the Skill India Mission to the farthest reaches of the country, covering its vast expanse.
This mobile lab is anticipated to attract a significant number of young individuals who will seize the opportunity to receive industry-relevant skill training, thereby enhancing both their theoretical knowledge and practical capabilities. Consequently, this initiative holds the promise of providing better livelihoods for those who participate.
