In a noteworthy step towards supporting the Skill India Mission and enhancing the employability of retiring Armed Service Personnel, the Regional Directorate of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (RDSDE), Telangana, under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), has joined hands with the Directorate General Resettlement (DGR), Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare (Ministry of Defence). The collaboration aims to execute a comprehensive Resettlement Training Program focusing on sectors like aerospace and aviation (Drone technology), capital goods, and automotive.
This partnership intends to aid the smooth transition of retiring service personnel into civilian life, particularly within high-demand sectors. The program is carefully crafted to accommodate the varied skill sets of armed service personnel, including disabled soldiers, widows, and dependents, ensuring complete employment opportunities for their successful resettlement. Programs will be conducted in all the 33 NSTIs across India to facilitate the effective resettlement of 70,000 Armed forces personnel after their Superannuation from the services.
Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, expressed, “We take immense pride in leading initiatives dedicated to empowering our Armed Service Personnel as they transition into civilian life. This collaboration signifies a momentous step in that journey. Our focus on key sectors in high demand underscores our commitment to delivering personalized Resettlement Training Programs for retiring service personnel.”
He further emphasized the ministry’s dedication to not just offering jobs but ensuring fulfilling careers for those who have served the nation courageously. The initiative aims to leverage the decades of on-field experience of these personnel to enhance the quality of work across high-demand sectors.
The Resettlement Training Program provides a comprehensive curriculum for Armed Service Personnel, comprising three specialized courses conducted at the National Skill Training Institute (NSTI) Vidyanagar and NSTI Ramanthapur. These include the Production Technology course, Basics of Automobile course, and a Drone Technician course, each offering specific skills to participants.
The Directorate General Resettlement (DGR), operating directly under the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare within the Ministry of Defence, plays a crucial role in supporting Ex-Servicemen. Its mission extends to training and equipping veterans with additional skills, aligning with the evolving needs of corporate and industrial sectors. The primary objective is to facilitate a seamless transition for Ex-Servicemen into a second career, ensuring their successful resettlement into civilian life.
In further support of DGR’s mission, the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD) has conducted multiple programs, aiming to impart entrepreneurial knowledge among the participants. These programs, spread across various locations, focus on entrepreneurship, retail entrepreneurship, leading retail teams, Web Development, etc., with the goal of helping retired army personnel become successful entrepreneurs.
The Union Cabinet introduced the Agnipath recruitment scheme last year, aiming to modernize the country’s armed forces and prepare a skilled youth pool contributing to India’s defense preparedness and GDP growth. MSDE has collaborated with the Armed forces in the implementation of the Agnipath scheme, focusing on recruiting candidates from ITIs and other technical institutions. The ministry works closely with various wings of the armed forces to impart skills to ITI students, preparing them for future job roles in defense.