New Delhi : Affirming its commitment to increase participation and provide accessibility for inclusion of persons with disability (PWDs), National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) has collaborated with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), formerly known as Department for International Development, Govt. of the UK to develop and launch eight eLearning modules focused on sensitization towards people with disabilities.
Employing e-skill India, NSDC’s digital skilling platform, this is a step towards creating a skilling ecosystem and the society at large, more inclusive towards people with disability. Developed by UK’s National Star Foundation, a college having 50 years of experience in the disability space these modules will empower practitioners in management, teaching, training, assessing, support roles as well as employers, health care professionals, co-workers, co-students, and organizational leaders who work with people with disabilities.
Speaking at the launch event, Dr Manish Kumar, MD & CEO, NSDC said, “The prevalence of disability is estimated to be 2.2% of the population in India, according to a survey by National Statistical Office (NSO). It is therefore imperative to design policies and development programmes that provide specially-abled persons with equal opportunities, enabling them to earn a livelihood and lead a life of dignity. I thank FCDO for being a part of NSDC’s vision of providing specially-abled persons with the right skills and enabling them to be a part of India’s economic growth. In my view, our empanelled trainers and partners together with the youth enrolled on NSDC’s eSkill India portal, and network organisations will benefit from these e-modules. These modules will further strengthen our sensitization efforts and help create a learning environment that responds to the needs of specially-abled persons.”
Mr Gavin McGillivray, Minister Counsellor Development, FCDO, British High Commission said, “Inclusion is not an add on. It must be a default and integral part – this philosophy is in FCDO’s DNA. We welcome the digital initiatives in the time of the pandemic which can be made accessible to a number of stakeholders who work with the differently-abled. We should identify and focus on talents and skillsets of differently-abled and assist them to shape their careers matching with their abilities.”
The course content is based on DRILL (Discover, Reflect, Investigate, Learn, Learn more) and facilitates the learners to gain knowledge through interactive and accessible content. The modules are divided into three levels including three foundation courses, three applied courses and two specialist courses. Each course is followed by a final assessment and certification. These modules will now be made available to NSDC’s 11,000 empanelled training partners, in addition to the million youth who are enrolled on the NSDC’s e-Skill India portal, and to the network organisations of Skill Council for Persons with Disabilities (employers and trainers).
About National Skill Development Corporation
National Skill Development Corporation, working under the aegis of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, is a unique public-private partnership that aims to catalyze the creation of a quality vocational training ecosystem in India. Since its inception in 2010, NSDC has trained more than 2.5 crore people through its partnership with 600+ training partners, 11,000+ training centres spread over 600+ districts across the country. NSDC has established 36 Sector Skill Councils and is implementing Government’s flagship skill development schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra (PMKK), National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), among others. For more, visit www.nsdcindia.org
About eSkill India
NSDC’s eSkill India portal provides learners with a platform to explore online skill courses anytime, anywhere. The portal leverages technology to enable skill seekers to accelerate their learning through methods like virtual learning and remote classroom. Leveraging strategic knowledge partnerships, eSkill India expands the portfolio of offerings to benefit the training providers and the skill seekers.
About FCDO’s Skills for Job Programme
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, FCDO has collaborated with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, GoI to promote Skill India Mission through the ‘Skills for Jobs’ programme under the UK-India bilateral partnership. The key sectors covered under the programme include aerospace and aviation, renewable energy, electric vehicle, construction and banking financial services and insurance (BFSI). Skill training of Persons with Disability (PwD) is a cross-cutting theme and one of the key focus areas under the project. To facilitate the inclusion of PwDs in the skilling ecosystem and to promote their employability, several UK best practices have been implemented through the SFJ programme. Click here to know more
