The Uttar Pradesh government has launched ‘Project Praveen’, providing skill training to more than 61,000 boys and girls across the state. This initiative offers free skill training and modern courses aimed at preparing youths for the competitive job market. ‘Project Praveen’ targets students in grade 9th through 12th attending higher secondary schools in the state, according to an official statement.
Operated under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Secondary Education and the Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission, ‘Project Praveen’ aims to overhaul the state’s education system and curriculum.
Kapil Dev Aggarwal, state minister of state for vocational education, skill development and entrepreneurship (independent charge) revealed that ‘Project Praveen’ was piloted in the fiscal year 2022-23, training 20,582 students across 150 government secondary schools. Additionally, 3,450 girl students from Kasturba Gandhi Girls School benefited from the scheme, the statement mentioned.
For the fiscal year 2023-24, ‘Project Praveen’ expanded to encompass 315 government secondary schools, providing skill development training to 61,400 students. Students in grade 9th through 12th receive daily free training alongside their regular studies, focusing on trades aligned with their interests, such as IT, electronics, beauty, healthcare, apparel and accounting.
All courses offered are nationally certified and approved by the National Council for Vocational Education and Training. Upon completion of training and assessment, students receive certificates recognised nationwide. Under ‘Project Praveen’, students undergo training by certified private training centres within their schools. These trainers are certified under the Training of Teachers (TOT) program and registered with the Skill Development Mission.
Certificates obtained through ‘Project Praveen’ training enable students who discontinue their studies after completing either 10th or 12th grade to pursue job opportunities. However, eligibility for the scheme requires enrollment in government secondary schools and completion of either 10th or 12th grade, it added.
With inputs from ANI.