The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) concluded the Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) Zonal Conference-cum-Stakeholder Consultation and Progress Review Workshop at Symbiosis Skill & Professional University, Pune, marking two days of discussions on inclusive skilling and livelihood creation.
The MSDE-organised event saw participation from 152 JSSs representing 11 States and Union Territories, along with officials from MSDE, the Directorate of JSS, NIESBUD, academic institutions and practitioners.
The conference was chaired by Ms. Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, MSDE, and Shri Nirajan Kumar Sudhanshu, Additional Secretary, MSDE, who emphasised strengthening employability, entrepreneurship and livelihood outcomes.
Ms. Mukherjee said, “Jan Shikshan Sansthans are central to inclusive skilling in India. Our focus is to move from training to real outcomes by strengthening alumni connect, aligning skills with market demand, and supporting entrepreneurship through finance and market linkages. By modernising traditional skills and scaling success stories, we aim to ensure that grassroots skilling leads to sustainable livelihoods, dignity and empowerment for women and marginalised communities.”
Sessions on employability and entrepreneurship were led by Dr. Poonam Sinha, Director General, NIESBUD, and Dr. Swati Majumdar, Pro Chancellor, Symbiosis Skills and Professional University, highlighting the importance of learner-centric skilling and enterprise readiness.
A session on financial and credit linkages, supported by Central Bank of India and NIESBUD, focused on financial inclusion and access to structured credit systems.
Discussions also covered AI and digital tools in skilling delivery, governance reforms, SIDH portal compliance, strengthening Livelihood Cells, and enhancing branding and market access for JSS products.
A JSS exhibition showcased beneficiary-developed products from different regions, while the Secretary, MSDE, visited the Skill Labs to review vocational training infrastructure.
The conference reviewed financial and physical progress of JSSs, training quality, employability outcomes and governance challenges.
Under the JSS Scheme, implemented through NGOs, over 34 lakh beneficiaries have been trained as of December 2025, with women accounting for more than 83 per cent.
The conference concluded with a commitment to strengthening JSSs as last-mile skilling institutions.
