Govt banks on CSR funds for new dept of skill development

It will converge training, job creation activities across depts

The state government is looking at Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds among others to meet the requirements of its proposed new department - skill development and livelihood department. 

The department is being set up with an aim to converge employment-related training programmes taken up by various departments under a single umbrella in a bid to increase employment opportunities among youth. 

The department will be directly under the control of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the government plans to mobilise Rs 500 crore for its activities during the current financial year. 

The government is looking at both conventional and unconventional modes of financing. 

Official sources said corporates would be encouraged to channelise their CSR funds for skill development and training programmes. The government is planning to consider skill development projects by companies as CSR activity. 

It is also considering whether tax incentives could be provided to corporates who set up skill development centres.

The sources said the proposals will have to be cleared by the Cabinet before it is implemented.

Chief Secretary Aravind Jadhav recently held a meeting with the heads of various departments to set the ball rolling and work out the modalities for the new department.

Modi modelThe sources said the functions of the department will be similar to the initiative taken by the Centre to co-ordinate all skill development efforts across departments. As soon as it came to power, the Narendra Modi government had created a new ministry exclusively for enhancing employment generation through skill upgrading.

The department will focus on the local needs of the industry and issues specific to Karnataka, the sources said.

At present, skill development training programmes are implemented by multiple departments - rural development department imparts training under its Rural Livelihood Mission, urban development department under its Urban Livelihood Mission. 

The departments of commerce and industries, social welfare, textile have in-house and also outsourced training programmes.

Industry interaction While these training programmes will continue, the skill development and livelihood department will look at coordination, convergence, ensure there is no duplication, interact with industries for their job requirements, look at emerging and new skills and also the demand for manpower.