In order to make Indian port and maritime sector more competent and skillful, the Ministry of Shipping and the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has signed a digital Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on August 20, to reap the benefits of vast employment opportunities in the maritime sector.
A digital MoU was signed in the presence of Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey, MSDE, Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State for Shipping and Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers and R K Singh, Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy and other senior officials.
The virtual event began with the Minister of MSDE congratulating the Ministry of Shipping for undertaking this endeavour to create trained and skilled workforce. “The vision of making India the Skill Capital of the World will continue to prosper if we work together and craft strategies to enhance access and innovate in the areas of skilling. Maritime transport is a critical segment that propels the economic development of our country,” Pandey said in a statement.
“This strategic partnership with The Ministry of Shipping is also derived from the same motto. It is aimed in the direction in which our initiatives support our workforce by skilling them and builds their competencies up to global standards. It is my belief, that with the right assistance, training and exposure our youth will reach newer heights and will contribute in the growth of the shipping sector,” said the minister.
The Minister of State for Shipping also expressed gratitude and said that this partnership will provide better job prospects to the youth staying in the coastal areas with reinforcing the commitment of Coastal Community Development under SagarMala programme of Ministry of Shipping.
“It will nurture the skilled manpower for the development of ports and maritime sector of India and globally. We are dedicated towards building the economic strength of our country by improving the capacities of our ports. We are also committed towards resolving the diverse issues faced by the maritime transport sector,”
“Our promise is to build a skilled workforce to empower our youth, strengthen their stand in a technology-driven future and accelerate the growth of the maritime sector. The partnership will provide better prospects to our candidates who are committed in the development of ports and maritime sector. Additionally, this will open opportunities within India and in the international coastal lines for our workforce,” stated Mandaviya.
As per the MoU, MSDE will cooperate in development of course curriculum, National Occupational Standards,content, etc. for Cruise Tourism,Logistics, Fisheries,Ship building,Ship repair and ship breaking, Dredging, Offshore supply chain etc.It will also leverage its existing infrastructure such as ITIs, NSTIs and PMKK and PMKVY centers to train manpower required as per the skill gaps of the coastal districts.
MSDE will also help inmobilising private sector/CSR funding for skill development in the port and maritime sector and facilitate port and maritime sector in TVET agreements signed for skill development with international partners.
In order to implement the skill training program based on the need of the maritime industry and aspirations of the youth, the Ministry of Shipping is also collaborating with various agencies and ministries who have been involved in skills training for a long time.
Skill development of coastal communities is also one of the important objectives of the Sagarmala programme and a budget of Rs 100 crore has been allocated for coastal community development activities.
