The government of India has unveiled the guidelines for scheme on skilling, up-skilling and re-skilling under the National Green Hydrogen Mission. These guidelines are applicable from fiscal year 2023 – 24 to 2029 – 30, at a substantial budget of Rs 0.35 billion. The scheme seeks to conduct a thorough analysis of skill gaps across different sectors of the green hydrogen ecosystem, establish and maintain a record of skills essential to the value chain, craft and enhance educational curricula for institutions at various levels, formulate qualification standards and training materials, promote involvement from the private sector, facilitate the shared use of infrastructure for skill development, establish guidelines for selecting institutions to offer skill training courses, assemble a certified group of trainers, execute learner-focused training initiatives, and set up exemplary Centers of Excellence (CoEs) for advanced skill development.
The programme will undertake the following tasks for the creation of the essential skill base: short-term training (STT), enhancing skills alongside recognising prior learning (RPL), establishing CoEs at designated institutions, and facilitating curriculum-based extended training at schools, ITIs, polytechnics, and higher education institutions. The funding provided by the scheme will encompass the full duration of STT, ranging from 200 to 600 hours, as well as up-skilling based on RPL, ranging from 30 to 132 hours. Exploring funding opportunities in a public-private partnership model for CoEs identified by the MNRE in consultation with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) may be considered. Funding allocated for long-term training will be directed towards developing course curriculum, training faculty, and enhancing overall capacity building.
The implementation strategy will follow the specific scheme directives detailed in the document, ensuring a methodical approach in pursuit of the objectives. Financing for the scheme will be derived from the budgetary allocations earmarked under the hydrogen mission head, underscoring the government’s dedication to investing in skill development for green hydrogen technology. The MNRE, in collaboration with the MSDE, will designate the implementing agency for this scheme. This highlights the cooperative endeavors of different governmental entities in advancing skill development initiatives. This scheme is positioned to be pivotal in preparing the workforce with essential skills to aid India’s shift towards a sustainable and environmentally friendly energy future.
