As a part of the Government’s preparedness to fight the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has decided to make available all 33 National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) and their hostels across the country for conversion into quarantine/ isolation facilities. The decision was taken by the Ministry to align its efforts with the Centre in preparedness for the pandemic that has led to a nationwide lockdown for 3 weeks to encourage social distancing among people.
Run by the Directorate General of Training, NSTIs are premier institutes that provides training in specialised skills across its spread of training centers and hostels in the country. There are nearly one lakh candidates trained in various job roles who will aid in emergency and isolation work in the battle against COVID-19.
MSDE has also provided the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare a list of around one lakh personnel who have been trained in healthcare skills through various programmes under the Skill India Mission. Trained in various job roles, these candidates will boost the efforts to contain the spread, and treatment and care of infected people in the new quarantine/ isolation/ hospital facilities being set up.
In addition, a list of 2000 health care trainers and more than 500 health care assessors has also been shared with MoHFW.
Skills minister, Dr.Mahendra Nath Pandey said that the addition of NSTIs will help district and state administrations in treating those infected by the virus by providing an alternative for hospitals and health centres. “In view of the global emergency caused by the unprecedented spread of the Novel Coronavirus, the Skill Development Ministry will provide every possible support to the Central Government in fighting this pandemic. We have requested all Regional Directors of NSTIs to fully cooperate with State Government authorities to help them meet the requirement of facilities as and when it arises. In addition, the State Governments can also use the premises of ITIs for the same.”
