Skill development

 Pradhan addressing at the signing ceremony of an MoU on Skill Development in New Delhi on November 28, 2016.

Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to scale up skill development initiatives in the Hydrocarbon and allied sectors among other areas of cooperation.

The MoU, signed in New Delhi on November 28, 2016 by Secretary MSDE Rohit Nandan and Secretary, MoPNG K. D. Tripathi in the presence of Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan.

The MoU will help MoPNG to develop the ready workforce for Exploration and Production, Pipeline & Transportation, Refinery & Marketing and Service providers going forward.

“We are investing back into our sector’s and the country’s brighter future,” said Pradhan.

MoPNG has now formally joined hands with MSDE to:

· Develop comprehensive skill development plans for existing and potential workforce in alignment with National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF)
· Certify existing workforce in the hydrocarbon sector for Recognition of Prior Learning under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)
· Promote and scale-up apprenticeship training under National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme
· Facilitate the setting-up of Skill Development Institutes/Centres of Excellence for vocational training to meet sectoral needs

MoPNG has setup the Hydrocarbons Sector Skill Council (HSSC) with representatives from the Government, Public Sector Units (PSUs) and private sector to address the skill development needs across the value chain of the sector.

Under the MoU, MoPNG will continue to support the growth of the Hydrocarbon Sector Skill Council and align with the NSQF for skill development programs.

Additionally, MoPNG will encourage Oil & Gas Companies and related contractors to hire skilled personnel, incentivize skill training & certification, promote apprenticeship programs, undertake Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programs in the sector and setup institutes focused on various sub-sectors and allied trades.

MoPNG will catalyse these initiatives in the Hydrocarbon sector, through its various agencies and PSUs, and develop a plan in close alignment with the Skill India mission.

MSDE would primarily discharge its responsibilities through Directorate General of Training (DGT) and National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). fii-news.com