Mumbai: Mumbai’s Kandivali is set to host a cutting-edge skill development centre aimed at providing young people with industry-specific training to bridge the gap between education and employment. This initiative is a collaboration between the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), with the signing of an MoU on Thursday. The project aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of transforming India into a global skills hub.
Located in Akurli Village, Kandivali East, the state-of-the-art centre will initially offer five short-term courses ranging from three to six months. These courses are designed to meet industry demands in areas like fashion technology, air-conditioning and refrigeration, gaming and animation, quick-service restaurant management, and data and cybersecurity. The courses will be updated based on real-time feedback and emerging market needs.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating that the centre aims to provide job placements for 1 lakh candidates over the next year. “This partnership between NSDC and BMC will create a seamless path from education to employment, equipping Mumbai’s youth with the skills needed to thrive in today’s competitive job market,” Goyal said.
NSDC’s executive vice-president, Ajay Kumar Raina, highlighted the initiative’s focus on marginalised communities, ensuring that youth from all backgrounds benefit from the skill development programs. In collaboration with industry partners such as the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and NASSCOM, the centre guarantees that at least 75% of the trainees will be employed upon completion of the programs. During the launch event, 20 candidates received job offer letters, marking the first milestone for the 500 beneficiaries enrolled in the initiative’s first phase.
The centre will be regularly monitored, with NSDC providing bi-annual reports to the BMC to track training outcomes and employment rates. This partnership aims to set a new benchmark in workforce development, ensuring Mumbai’s youth are job-ready for both domestic and global markets.
This skill centre is poised to play a pivotal role in empowering Mumbai’s future workforce while fostering meaningful connections between education and employment opportunities.