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Skill Training Scheme Fails to Deliver Jobs for Majority of Trainees
5 Aug
Summary
- Less than 15% of 1.6 crore PMKVY trainees secured job placements since 2015
- New PMKVY 4.0 focuses on diverse career paths, not just direct placements
- Government addresses skill gaps, monitors training quality to improve outcomes
As of August 2025, government data shows that the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), a major skill development initiative launched in 2015, has struggled to deliver on its promise of securing job placements for the majority of its trainees.
Out of the more than 1.6 crore candidates trained under PMKVY over the past decade, only 24.3 lakh, or less than 15%, have managed to secure job placements. This placement rate is particularly low, considering the government's efforts to bridge the skills gap and boost employability among the youth.
In response to these persistent challenges, the government has introduced the latest phase of the program, PMKVY 4.0, which is designed to support a more diverse range of career outcomes beyond direct job placements. The new phase aims to empower candidates to pursue self-employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, in addition to traditional employment.
To achieve this, the government is leveraging digital platforms like the Skill India Digital Hub to connect trained individuals with employers and apprenticeship programs. Rozgar Melas and National Apprenticeship Melas are also being organized regularly to facilitate hiring.
Acknowledging the mismatch between training curricula and market needs, the government has initiated district-level skill gap studies and is rolling out state-specific training programs. Additionally, the government has linked skilling schemes with financial assistance programs like the PM Mudra Yojana and PM Vishwakarma to widen employment avenues.
Despite these efforts, the challenge of youth unemployment remains a concern, and the government is committed to closely monitoring the quality of training and evaluating the impact of PMKVY 4.0 to inform future policy decisions.
