NEW DELHI: Santosh Gangwar, the Labour Minister, recognised on Wednesday the significance of the education system and the labour market in preparing our young generation to confront the forthcoming difficulties of the work-world.

According to a labour ministry release, Gangwar spoke at the G20 Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting on Joint Education and Labour & Employment Ministers’ Declaration on Wednesday. The summit was held under the leadership of Italy.

While endorsing the adoption of the Joint Ministerial Declaration, the Minister emphasised that such an initiative by member countries would be extremely beneficial to the overall development and capacity building of the entire young generation, which is rapidly evolving and has now become more difficult due to the pandemic.

He stated that India is strengthening its educational and skilling efforts to ensure quality education from pre-school to senior secondary stage. In India, the New National Education Policy, 2020, intends to improve the school and higher education institutions.

Additionally, he informed that the government has introduced various initiatives for enhancing the capacity and skills of the youth as well as creating jobs. As a result of the National Skill Development Mission, skilling initiatives in all sectors are coming together.

The Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana enables the youth in industry-related skill training to help them land better jobs. The government is paying up to 24% of earnings towards EPF contributions under the Aatma-Nirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana for new workers as well as those who lost their jobs due to the pandemic and are being re-employed. This initiative is aimed at helping create jobs in the country.