The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi): The India Skills Competition 2024, held from May 15th to 19th at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, has seen a remarkable increase in female participation in traditionally male-dominated trades. Women are competing with enthusiasm and proving that skill and talent transcend gender barriers.
This year, over 900 candidates from more than 30 states and Union Territories are competing in 61 skills, with the support of over 400 industry experts. Among these participants, over 170 women are showcasing their talents in fields like Logistics & Freight Forwarding, Web Technologies, Visual Merchandising, Fashion Technology, Graphic Design Technology, Painting and Decorating, Electrical Installations, Industrial Design Technology, and Renewable Energy.
Sonu Lather, winner of IndiaSkills 2022 and a jury member for this year’s competition, remarked, “IndiaSkills 2024 has seen a remarkable increase in women’s participation, showcasing their immense talent and resilience. This growing representation is not just a testament to their skills but also a significant step towards a more inclusive and equitable future for our nation.”
Kirteeparna Sadangi, a participant from Odisha, shared her inspiration from the previous year’s competitor Rinki Mahato, expressing her determination to excel on the global stage in France.
New-age skills like Autonomous Mobile Robotics, Automobile Repairing, Cloud Computing, and Mechatronics are also gaining popularity in IndiaSkills 2024. Participants are showing great zeal and determination, recognizing the importance of these skills in driving innovation, enhancing productivity, and expanding job opportunities. Mastery in digital and technological skills is crucial for India’s economic growth, fostering a vibrant startup ecosystem, and attracting foreign investment.
Akshat Marathi from Maharashtra, a jury member for Autonomous Mobile Robotics, stated, “IndiaSkills 2024 highlights the pivotal role of new-age skills in shaping our future, with participants demonstrating expertise in cutting-edge technologies. These skills are driving innovation, enhancing productivity, and positioning India as a global leader in the digital economy.”
Winners of IndiaSkills 2024 will receive training from top industry experts to prepare for the WorldSkills Competition in Lyon, France, scheduled for September 2024. This prestigious event will feature 1,500 competitors from over 70 countries. Early predictions suggest India will win medals in fields like automobile, hospitality, mechatronics, and water technology.
The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), is organizing the event, concluding with a grand closing ceremony on May 19th. This year, participants can earn credits within the National Credit Framework, aligning their skills with the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) to enhance their career prospects. For the first time, IndiaSkills has introduced a competition information system called Qrencia.
About 2.5 lakh candidates registered for the competition on the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) Portal. After a rigorous pre-screening process, 26,000 candidates were shortlisted, with 900+ moving on to the national competition.
India Skills 2024 is supported by over 400 industry and academic partners, including Toyota Kirloskar, Autodesk, JK Cement, Maruti Suzuki, Lincoln Electric, NAMTECH, Vega, Loreal, Schneider Electric, Festo India, Artemis, Medanta, and Cygnia Healthcare.