The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the Ministry of Women & Child Development (MWCD) have launched a pilot project aimed at empowering adolescent girls and women across 27 aspirational districts and special areas in nine states. This initiative marks the initial phase of a strategic partnership between the two ministries, setting the stage for a larger nationwide program.
The pilot project seeks to address the barriers that women face in entering the workforce by providing targeted training under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0. With an emphasis on non-traditional and high-demand job roles, the program aims to equip approximately 4,000 beneficiaries with essential digital and soft skills, along with comprehensive support services such as counselling, career guidance, financial literacy, digital literacy, and job placement assistance. The project will also connect participants to e-commerce platforms and provide sensitization on POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) while boosting female enrolment in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).
During the orientation session, Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs) participated in capacity-building workshops to prepare them for the official launch of the project later this year. The success of this pilot will inform the nationwide rollout, which aims to significantly enhance women’s participation in the paid, formal economy.
Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, stated at the event, “This orientation program is a crucial step in our mission to empower adolescent girls and women across the nation. By equipping them with skills in non-traditional and high-demand job roles, we are not just preparing them for the workforce, but also we are enabling them to lead independent, self-reliant lives. Our collaboration with MoWCD reflects our shared commitment to ensuring that every woman, regardless of where she is from, has the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to India’s growth and prosperity.”
Shri Anil Malik, Secretary, Ministry of Women & Child Development, added, “Our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has emphasized that we must move beyond simply focusing on women’s development and instead shift towards women-led development, where women are at the forefront of driving our nation’s progress. This vision defines our future, and to realize it, women must be empowered and willing to participate in the workforce to their fullest potential.
This program is built on the principle that a paid, formal economy should see greater participation from women, which is currently at 37%. Our goal is to raise this to 60%, in line with other developed nations. This initiative is a significant step in that direction, with the potential to transform the lives of lakhs of girls and women across India.”
This project marks a significant government initiative to bridge the gender gap in workforce participation and unlock the potential of women in contributing to India’s economic development. By partnering with local businesses for internships and apprenticeships, the program will provide participants with essential practical exposure.
The training will be conducted under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0, and utilise existing PMKK, JSS centres, and government educational institutions across 27 aspirational districts and 60+ Training Centres with special provision of ₹1,000 per month for transport conveyance assistance to all female trainees via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). This initiative was presented as a significant step towards bridging the gender gap in workforce participation and unlocking the immense potential of women in contributing to India’s economic development.
Additionally, the project lifecycle will be managed via the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) – where certain training modules, course discovery, financial and funding services, and assessments will be made available.
The program will offer training in non-traditional and high-demand job roles and will emphasize on digital skills and soft skills development while providing comprehensive support including counselling, career guidance, and job placement assistance. Several collaborations with local businesses for internships and apprenticeships were also outlined, ensuring practical exposure for future participants.
