Lucknow: More than 3,000 students of Jai Prakash Narayan Sarvodaya Schools run by the Social Welfare Department of Uttar Pradesh will soon receive vocational and employment-oriented skill training alongside their regular school education under the state government’s ‘Project Praveen’.
The Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission has set a target of training more than 3,000 students during the financial year 2026-27. The responsibility has been assigned to 31 training provider institutions, which have been directed to establish and get their training centres approved, register students and form batches within the prescribed timelines. Training at all centres must begin by September 30, 2026.
Kapil Dev Agarwal, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Vocational Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, said the objective of Project Praveen is to connect students with practical skills that can prepare them for employment, self-employment and better career opportunities in the future.
Depending on their interests and the training available, students will be offered courses in sectors including apparel, IT-ITES, management and other employment-oriented fields. Agarwal said the initiative is part of the government’s broader skill development policy to help young people progress from education to skills and ultimately to employment.
He said providing practical and vocational exposure at the school level would help students build confidence while developing competencies required for future careers.
Training to Be Conducted Without Disrupting Schooling
To maintain training quality and ensure effective participation, each batch will have a maximum of 35 students. The total duration of training will be up to 300 hours, allowing students to acquire vocational skills without disrupting their regular academic schedule.
The Skill Development Mission has also put in place measures to ensure transparency and quality. Training providers will be required to submit their contracts to the Mission headquarters for verification. Only after confirmation will the District Programme Management Unit of the concerned district be permitted to form training batches.
Before approving a batch, the relevant job roles will be checked on the designated skill-development portals to ensure that training is offered only in valid and recognised job roles. Approval will also be restricted to batches and sectors allocated to the respective training provider, helping maintain accountability and prevent deviations from the approved training plan.
Focus on Training Materials and Quality Assessment
Training providers will have to supply the required learning materials within seven days of the commencement of each batch. Signed receipts from students acknowledging receipt of the materials, along with photographs, will have to be uploaded on the Mission portal.
The curriculum and assessment process will follow standards prescribed by the relevant Sector Skill Council (SSC). Payments for training will also be made according to the prescribed Common Cost Norms.
Mission Director Pulkit Khare has directed training providers to complete all formalities within the stipulated timelines and in accordance with prescribed rules. He stressed that the objective is not merely to start training on paper but to ensure that students actually acquire useful and quality skills.
Khare said Project Praveen seeks to make students skilled alongside their formal education, enabling them to face future challenges with greater confidence and competence. He emphasised that early exposure to skill development can strengthen students’ capabilities and improve their prospects for employment and better career opportunities.
“Training quality and timely implementation are our priorities so that every student receives the full benefit of the initiative,” Khare said.
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