Kerala is Preparing for a Revolutionary Change in Skill Development: Minister V. Shivankutty

Web Desk

Published on Feb 09, 2026, 03:31 PM | 3 min read

Thiruvananthapuram: Minister V. Shivankutty stated that the government aims to ensure safe and transparent foreign migration. To achieve this, local employment opportunities will be guaranteed. He made these remarks at a press meet held in Thiruvananthapuram.

He also shared the progress and future plans of the schemes implemented by the Labour and Skills Department. To transform the focal point of Kerala’s skill development programme to the Kerala Academy for Skills Excellence (KASE), 25 important action plans have been announced.

Skill Secretariat and Decentralised Planning
A Skill Secretariat has been formed as a single-window system in the field of skill training. For the first time in Kerala, a decentralized skill development project based on the people’s planning model will be implemented. With the participation of local self-governments, each district will have its own planning policy. As part of this initiative, the inauguration of district-level policies will be held soon in Thiruvananthapuram. Detailed information has been collected, including all skill training institutions and courses across the state.

Quality and Accreditation
A policy has been implemented to accredit the best private institutions. In the first phase, 200 institutions will be given accreditation. To ensure quality, SCVT has been reorganized as SCVET. The government will also award a quality seal to the best institutions. The inauguration for this initiative will be held soon.

International-Level Training Centres
Agreements are in place to set up a Skill India International Centre with migration facilitation. In collaboration with NSDC and Kochi Metro, an international-standard Metro and Rail Technology Institute (IMRT) will be established. The Indian Institute for Foreign Languages will begin operations in Kochi within two months.

An Innovation and Research Park will be established in Kottarakara in collaboration with NIELTS, with its transit campus being inaugurated in Ezhukone.

Labour Market and Data Collection

Human Resource Survey: A comprehensive survey will be conducted in each assembly constituency. A pilot study will be held in Nemom constituency on February 16.

NCVT Recognition: By March 2026, KASE will receive recognition as an NCVET dual recognition body.
Recruitment License: To prevent foreign labour exploitation, KASE will begin direct recruitment. The license for this will be obtained this month.

Global Partnerships (Germany and Australia)

Goethe Institute Agreement: An official agreement has been signed to ensure quality in German language learning.
Erfurt Chamber of Crafts: An agreement will be signed in Thiruvananthapuram to establish a German dual education centre.
Skill Festival 2026: 301 participants were selected in the competition held on January 31. The next festival will be held in October.
UN University Study: With a grant from the World Bank, a two-year study will be conducted on changes in the state’s employment sector.
Sister State Relation: A sister state partnership agreement will be signed with Germany’s Hessen state.
NextGen Programme: In collaboration with Germany’s NextGen Startup Factory, ₹9,000 crore investment and 300 deep-tech projects will be brought in.
Indo-German Trade Fair (IGTF): During the fair held in March, 500 participants will receive a stipend of ₹1,08,000 along with job training.