IndiaSkills 2018: Participants from 27 states in India are gearing up to compete at the IndiaSkills National Competition 2018. The event will be inaugurated on 2 October, and the skill competitions will be held October 3-5 at Aerocity Grounds, New Delhi.

More than 400 participants across 27 states will showcase their talent in 46 skills, 10 traditional skills and four demo skills categories. For the first time ever, Abilympics – the ‘Olympics of Abilities’, will feature persons with disabilities (PwDs) who will showcase their talent across 10 skill competitions.

The winners will be facilitated during the closing ceremony on 6 October in Delhi. They will also get a chance to undergo best-in-class industry training to prepare them for the WorldSkills International Competition scheduled in Kazan, Russia from 22-27 August 2019.

Rajesh Agrawal Joint Secretary, MSDE, said, “IndiaSkills competition plays a catalytic role in improving the overall aspiration for vocational training in India. This year’s competition is unique, as for the first time we have collaborated with 22 state government who have organized district and state level skill competitions in their respective states and have supported us in training the winners for the National competition. We are optimistic that the finalists this year will truly raise the bar and bring laurels to the country at the WorldSkills next year.”

Commenting on the initiatives, Manish Kumar, MD and CEO, NSDC, said, “IndiaSkills Competition 2018 has witnessed more than fifty thousand entries this year, which is 10 times more than what we received for similar event in 2016. It’s a great achievement for all the participants who are representing their states at IndiaSkills 2018. Competition like these will help youth benchmark their skills against their peers in other states in India and those around the world, which will us improve the overall standards of vocational training in India.”

IndiaSkills Competition 2018, organised by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under the aegis of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), has brought together 70+ corporates and academic institutes, along with 22 state governments to realise the vision of establishing India as the skill capital of the world.

The registration for IndiaSkills Competition 2018 witnessed 50,000+ participants from 21 states and union territories who competed in 46 skills/trades across different levels to make it to the following regional competitions held in in Jaipur, Lucknow, Bangalore, and Bhubaneshwar.

Apart from skill competitions, the event will also host career counselling, skill exhibition, try a skill among other activities for the youth. Several other events such as state ministers’ conference, a skill conclave, and industry round table will be organised on the sidelines of the skill competitions.

India won 1 Silver, 1 Bronze and 9 Medallions of Excellence and ranked 19th among 56 countries at the last WorldSkills 2017 in Abu Dhabi. More than 1300 competitors competed in 51 skills at this event.