IndiaSkills Competition 2024Begins, 900+ candidates to participate in 61 trades

By Mrutyunjaya Panda

New Delhi, May 17: The IndiaSkills Competition 2024 – the country’s biggest skill competition designed to demonstrate the highest standards of skilling commenced today and will go on till 19th May 2024. The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) organised an inauguration ceremony at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka which witnessed the participation of 900+candidates from 30+ states and Union Territories and 400+ industry experts.

During the competition, participantswill showcase their diverse skills and talent on a national platform across 61 skills – from traditional crafts to cutting-edge technologies. While 47 skills competition will be held onsite, 14 will be held offsite in Karnataka, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat keeping in mind the best infrastructure available. Participants will also participate in 9 exhibition skills like Drone-Filmingmaking, Textile-Weaving, Leather-Shoemaking, and prosthetics-makeup. The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), working under the aegis of MSDE, is implementing the event.

The opening ceremony was graced by Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, MSDE, Shri Nilambuj Sharan, Senior Economic Advisor, MSDE, SmtTrishaljeet Sethi, DG Training, MSDE, SmtSonal Mishra, Joint Secretary, MSDE, SmtHena Usman Joint Secretary, MSDE, Shri Ved Mani Tiwari, officiating COO, National Skill Development Corporation. All the participating states also showcased their teams and cultural diaspora.This was followed by a cultural programme where the audience witnessed different dance forms from across the country.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, MSDEsaid that the IndiaSkills 2024 is not just a competition; it is a celebration of skill, innovation, and determination. It is a testament to the boundless potential of our youth and their ability to shape the future of our nation. It is a platform where dreams are realised, and aspirations are nurtured. He further said that he is confident about the capabilities of the candidates and is hopeful that they will excel in WorldSkills 2024.

For the next three days, the participants will be competing in a variety skill from Construction and Building Technology and Creative Arts and Fashion to Information and Communication Technology, Manufacturing and Engineering Technology, and Transportation and Logistics. The event will close on 19th May with a grand closing ceremony.

Speaking on the occasion, Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO NSDC, MD NSDCI said that IndiaSkills is not just a competition; it’s a platform that nurtures aspirations and fosters creativity. Through its implementation, NSDC not only propels us to the forefront but also paves the path toward a more inclusive society. Alongside WorldSkills competitions, IndiaSkills plays a pivotal role in fostering equality by generating opportunities for interaction among candidates, industry leaders, education partners, governments, and partner countries.

Winners of IndiaSkills, with the help of best industry trainers, will prepare forWorldSkills Competition scheduled to take place in Lyon, France in September 2024 and will bring together 1,500 competitors from over 70 countries. This year, early trends further predict that India will win medals in automobile, hospitality, mechatronics, and water technology in WorldSkills.

This year the participants will have the opportunity to earn credits, within the National Credit Framework. All skills showcased in both the WorldSkills and IndiaSkills Competitions are meticulously aligned with the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), empowering participants to creditize their learning outcomes and lead a thriving career in their chosen fields. It is also for the first time that IndiaSkills has incorporated a competition information system called Qrencia.

About 2.5 lakhcandidates registered for the competition on the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) Portal, out which 26,000 were shortlisted through a process of pre-screening. This data was shared with the states for organising the state and district level competition, out of which 900+ students were further shortlisted for IndiaSkills National competition.

This year, IndiaSkills is supported by more than 400 Industry and Academic Partners like Toyota Kirloskar, Autodesk, JK Cement, Maruti Suzuki, Lincoln Electric, NAMTECH, Vega, Loreal, Schneider Electric, Festo India, Artemis, Medanta, and Cygnia Healthcare.