‘Skill for Life, Save a Life’ initiative was recently launched by J P Nadda, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare.

Speaking on the occasion, Nadda said, “India enjoys a demographic dividend as more than 65% youth are below the age of 35 years and the Government is determined to seize this opportunity by providing adequate skills and employability to the youth for a strong foundation for continued and sustainable growth. ‘Skills for Life, Save a Life’ Initiative’ aims to upscale the quantity and quality of trained professionals in the healthcare system. Under this initiative various courses are planned to be initiated targeting specific competencies for healthcare professionals as well as for general public.”

“Skilling the youth enhances the employability and skilled India will help the nation reap rich dividends. This shall reduce the gap between expectations of employment of the youth and the actual job they get. Skill enhances economy of the country, too by reducing the gap between demand and supply of trained and skilled manpower in every field. The potential for skilled healthcare workers and professionals is immense in the country. Such courses ensure that the health sector gets the adequate skilled health workers.”, he added

The curriculum has been designed by National Institute of Health and Family Welfare (NIHFW) and AIIMS, Delhi.

‘Skill a Life, Save a Life’ program will be conducted in Central and State government training institutes from the next month across the country in each district, to empower every single citizen of the country to be the first person to provide first aid and initial care in case of an emergency.

Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Minister of State (I/C) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship said, “Skill development provides platform for lakhs of youth in the country to get trained for employment. The Skill Development Ministry is providing several certified courses for skilling to provide manpower for various areas of work. This has provided employment to lakhs of young boys and girls, many of whom haven’t had the opportunity for formal education.”

Faggan Singh Kulaste, Minister of State for Health and Family said, “The trained and skilled personnel, through this innovative training course, will be able to help save lives in the golden hour during an emergency situation.”