The Bihar government founded the Bihar Skill Development Mission (BSDM) in 2010 with the goal of improving the skills of the state's youth and making them employable in various industries. The mission aims to equip individuals with essential skills and training that are aligned with industry standards. BSDM seeks to enhance economic growth in the state by enabling individuals to gain employment and supporting the individual’s career paths.
Organizational Structure
BSDM has a governance structure with clear defined levels, roles, and responsibilities:
Policy level decisions are made by The Governing Council which steers the mission forward.
Oversight of activites, implementation of the programs, and financial activities are done by the Executive Committee.
Daily operations are led by the Mission Director and CEO (Principal Secretary, Labour Resources) who’s in charge of the Mission.
Local level planning, monitoring, and execution are done by various units like the State Project Management Unit (SPMU), State Implementation Support Agency (SISA), and District Project Management Units (DPMUs).
With this configuration, there is more efficiency in the implementation of training programs in both rural and urban areas.
Objectives
The key objectives of BSDM include:
Increasing the available training capacity and access to funding for skill development.
Pursuing all socio-economic groups, including marginalized communities, for enhanced inclusiveness.
Providing relevant programs and skills which are needed in the market.
Enhancing employability by providing adequate practical training and job ready training.
Improving the outreach as well as efficiency of the programs with innovative approaches.
Strengthening evaluation, certification, and placement processes and systems.
They can be achieved through process standardization, industry and training collaborations, and the implementation of IT monitoring tools.
Major Initiatives and Programs
1. Kushal Yuva Program
The program targets 15 to 28 year olds and offers an extended age limit for SC/ST, OBC, and PWD. Programs are offered in soft skills, English and Hindi, and basic IT. Training centers are being created statewide which eliminates access barriers. This program targets the skills deficiency for formal graduates.
2. Recruit–Train–Deploy (RTD) Model
The RTD model employs a fill-the-position training approach. An employee enters the organization, pending training for a designated role, at which point he is trained and readily deployed. This model enhances training to employment linkage.
3. Promotion of Local Arts and Industries
BSDM works with specific private entities to expand the scope of localized arts, including the traditional Madhubani painting. To further assist these artisans, a digital registration system with QR codes is being implemented for wider recognition and access to markets.
4. Training for Migrant Workers
Specialized programs are designed for Bihar's migrant workers in states such as Karnataka, Delhi, and Maharashtra for skill enhancement, improved earning potential, and employment conditions.
5. Mega Job Fairs and Skill University
The Mission holds large-scale job fairs where multiple employers hire trained candidates. In addition, the establishment of Jannayak Karpoori Thakur Skill University integrates higher learning with vocational and technical education, thereby formalizing pathways for educated and skilled youth.
Funding and Support
BSDM functions with the aid of state and central government schemes and collaboration with private sector employers. Beneficiaries from economically weaker sections and special identified groups receive stipends during training, for instance:
Some identified special groups receive ₹100 daily.
Others qualify for ₹30 daily during the training phase.
Post Placement Support (PPS) offers a limited duration of ₹1,500 monthly to qualifying candidates for payment after employment has commenced.
Training Delivery
Training is delivered through approved centers with requisite quality criteria. The steps include:
Mobilization and Registration – Enrolling and identifying eligible candidates via online and offline channels.
Training Modules – Domain skills, life skills, and IT skills are taught.
Assessment and Certification – Evaluation is done by independent assessment bodies to enhance credibility.
Placement Assistance – Certified candidates are provided by employers through job fairs, recruitment drives, and partnerships with industries.
Post-placement Tracking – Monitoring employment outcomes for program evaluation.
Using Technology in Business Processes
BSDM uses technology in its operations for transparency and efficiency. For example, e-learning content is disseminated using Learning Management Systems (LMS).
Online Candidate Tracking monitors progress.
Employers can easily verify Digital Certifications.
Program operations can be analyzed using Management Information Systems (MIS).
Impacts and Achievements
From its inception, BSDM has been able to dramatically increase the skills training infrastructure in the state of Bihar. Many thousands of youths have undergone training, and a large number of them have been employed in the manufacturing, IT services, retail, healthcare, and construction industries. Trained personnel are available for both domestic and international employment.
The mission has also been vital in providing training and empowerment to women and the marginalized communities, enabling them to gain skills and access support. Local initiatives, such as the promotion of handicrafts, have enabled the preservation of culture while providing means of employment.
Upcoming Goals
These are the upcoming goals for BSDM.
Increase the training center in remote and underserved locations.
Develop new advanced skill training in emerging industries such as renewable energy, robotics, and artificial intelligence.
Increase international partnerships with local institutions for exchange of knowledge.
Increase scope for placement-linked training to ensure each trained candidate is appropriately placed.
Increase the scope of training by incorporating more online and hybrid models.
Conclusion
The Bihar Skill Development Mission exemplifies the multifaceted approach of tackling the issues of unemployment and underemployment in the state. Through skill training, certification, placement assistance BSDM, and collaboration with industries, BSDM is building a more skilled workforce which can readily adapt to the changing job market. At the same time, BSDM’s efforts are directed towards creation of self-employment and enhanced economic productivity in Bihar.
