New Delhi: Furthering Prime Minister’s bilateral visit to Japan, seeking to deepen ties with the world’s third largest economy, today Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon’ble Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas and Minister for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India, felicitated twenty-two sending organisations and the first batch of Interns being sent for a Technical Training Programme in Japan to replicate japan-like efficiency in our country.

Also present at the event were Dr K P Krishnan, Secretary, MSDE; Mr Asheesh Sharma, Joint Secretary, MSDE and Mr Jayant Krishna, ED & COO, National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).

The Batch marks successful beginning of synergy between Japan’s advanced technology and India’s rich human resources.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon’ble Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas and Minister for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), said, “I am extremely delighted to have felicitated the first batch and met each and every Intern in person. They are our brand ambassadors for the Programme and an inspiration for future batches. On their return such highly-skilled talent pool will not only bring in international best practices but will strengthen the ‘Make in India’ mission. I wish them success.”

He further added, “I would also like to welcome all the Sending Organisations who have joined the Programme and hope that they will nurture qualitative interns, thereby, contributing towards making India ‘Skill Capital of the World’ in line with the vision of our respected Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi. This is just a beginning with Japan. We hope to do many such engagements with other countries as well.”

Laying emphasis on the aspiration around skills, Dr K P Krishnan, Secretary, MSDE said, “Skill India Mission’s focus is on bringing scale along with quality and there is extensive emphasis on creating aspiration around skills. Today’s ceremony marks the beginning of one more such initiative to inspire the youth of our country to join the skills revolution leading to valuable experience, enhance stipend and international certification along with the domestic one.”

The first batch of 15 students has completed pre–departure training at CII’s Chennai facility and have received their Internship Offer Letters form a leading Automotive manufacturer in Japan. They have been trained by native Japanese Trainers, engaged specifically for the Programme to ensure high quality training in varied divisions like production, quality department, technical department etc.

These interns mostly hail from rural villages of Southern Tamil Nadu. They belong to economically weaker sections of the society with average family income ranging from INR 40,000 – INR 80,000 per annum. As per the Program requirement they come with an experience of 6 months to 1 year. Most of them were engaged in the manufacturing sector where they earned INR 8000 to INR 10000 per month.

TITP is an extremely prestigious project and their successful placement is a significant achievement for India.

Under the Program, they will be earning almost INR 60000 to INR 65000 per month, post statutory deductions. Thereby, giving them a huge financial and professional advantage, which will not only enhance their standard of living but will also benefit their families, at large.

Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has recently engaged National Skill Development Corporation as its execution arm. As a part of the Memorandum of Cooperation signed between India and Japan, MSDE has nominated over 22 firms as Sending Organisation to shortlist the candidates, provide pre-departure training in Japanese language and work ethics and facilitate Internships in Japan by joining hand with the respective Japanese Receiving and Implementing Partners.