The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) in collaboration with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) on Wednesday launched a JUNIOR SKILLS championship under which secondary students can harness their skills through vocational training.

“JuniorSkills, a first of its kind skill championship, aims at giving students practical insight into established and emergent skill categories, and access to industry experts who will guide them throughout JuniorSkills. The process and interactions with experts are also designed to help students make informed career choices,” says its website https://worldskillsindia.co.in/juniorskills2021/.

Students from CBSE schools studying in standard VI to XII will be eligible to participate in JuniorSkills. The students will have three categories classes 6 to 8, classes 9 and 10, and classes 11 and 12.

The categories of skills include web technology, Information Technology, graphic design, painting, fashion designing, solar technology. Details can be obtained from the JUNIORSKILLS website.

The championship has been designed in accordance with the National Education Policy 2020, wherein the emphasis has been laid on the integration of vocational courses into the school curricula. Keeping in mind the spread of the novel Coronavirus, the successive rounds of the championship will be organized online, while the final round will be conducted on the ground.

Congratulating CBSE and NSDC for the move, the Union Education Minister Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' said on Twitter, "Enhanced focus on TVET is critical for #AatmanirbharBharat. By integrating skill development at the school level, NEP 2020 spurs creativity in youth & boosts employability."