Skill Development in Maritime Sector: Government Initiatives
UPSC / SSC current affairs note
Why in news
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, under Skill India Mission, is promoting skill development in the maritime sector through various schemes. This is crucial for creating a globally competitive workforce to support India's maritime growth.
Background
India has a vast coastline and a growing maritime sector. The government aims to equip youth with industry-relevant skills, including maritime skills, through schemes like PMKVY, NAPS, and CTS.
Key facts
Skill India Mission (SIM) under MSDE provides skill, re-skill, and up-skilling training through PMKVY, Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS), National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), and Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) via Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS).
Under PMKVY, job roles related to logistics and maritime sector include Documentation Assistant, Consignment Booking Assistant, Consignment Tracking Executive, Courier Delivery Executive, Signalman Port Operation, Vessel Operator Grade-1, Maritime Capture Fishermen, and Protective and Maritime Painter.
In Kasaragod district, Kerala, 240 candidates were trained/oriented under PMKVY, of which 197 received certificates.
Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) has approved 171 Maritime Training Institutes (MTIs) in India.
Employment of seafarers on Indian or foreign ships depends on training, assessment, and certification as per STCW Convention (International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers), to which India is a signatory.
DGS has issued a list of approved maritime training courses aligned with IMO model courses and STCW Convention, 2010, and a Training, Examination and Assessment Programme (TEAP) manual.
A common curriculum for faculty members of MTIs called Vertical Integration Course for Instructors exists.
MoPSW has taken steps to promote skill development in ports, shipping, and waterways: 11 shipyards signed MoUs with 34 ITIs in 8 coastal states for 150 hours of On-Job Training (OJT); Centre of Excellence in Maritime and Shipbuilding (CEMS) implemented Training of Trainers (ToT) in 2 ITIs in West Bengal; initial skill gap study completed in 9 shipyards; Indian Ship Technology Centre (ISTC) established as a Section 8 company; an Implementation Plan (POI) signed between MoPSW and KOICA for skill development in shipbuilding.
Government measures to improve employment opportunities include industry-aligned skills via PMKVY, training in logistics, port operations, warehousing, supply chain management, and maritime sectors, and National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) developed in consultation with industry.
Prelims pointers
- Skill India Mission (SIM)
- Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)
- Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS)
- National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS)
- Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS)
- Directorate General of Shipping (DGS)
- International Maritime Organization (IMO)
- STCW Convention (International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers)
- Training, Examination and Assessment Programme (TEAP)
- Centre of Excellence in Maritime and Shipbuilding (CEMS)
Mains angles
- Discuss the role of Skill India Mission in enhancing employability in the maritime sector.
- Critically examine the effectiveness of government schemes like PMKVY in bridging the skill gap in coastal regions.
- Analyze the importance of international conventions like STCW in standardizing maritime training and employment.