Private-Public Partnership platforms
Owing to the success of the VoTEG Project, UNDP and DST came forward to replicate and mass disseminate this model in the next phase, ‘Skills and Knowledge for Improved Livelihoods and Living Standards’ (SKILLS), in which the curriculum delivery has been leveraged with Public Private Partnerships (PPP), in new geographies, by TREC-STEP and VIB, for the benefit of a larger section of our youth

PPP implementation at TREC-STEP
The SKILLS Project in PPP mode commenced in TREC-STEP in April 2005 and involves private entrepreneurs, in order to make this endeavour market oriented and self-supporting. The role of the private partners is primarily on the operating and implementation side such as establishment of Training facilities , deployment of Trainers, implementation of quality measures in skill training jointly agreed upon with TREC-STEP etc. The role of the promoters such as UNDP and DST through TREC-STEP, has been in the areas of curriculum design, quality assurance, development of the training facilities, some special fixed assets, development of new skill trades and programme promotion efforts. Such an arrangement is complementary to the inherent strengths of the respective private and public partners and ensures a win-win situation, for the SKILLS academy and its overall objectives.
The TREC-STEP PPP Skill Training Centres known as SKILLS Academy have an innovative training pedagogy, state-of-the-art facilities, continuous improvement system for excellence, micro-ventures incubation downstream, active involvement of industries etc. While the SKILLS Academy itself is run on a business model, its primary mission shall remain as a developmental initiative. The participation of private partners in the academy, for implementation as a licensee from the Academy, as planned, has brought in new entrepreneurial dynamism, performance and efficiency in the training initiatives. Each PPP Training Centre has a capacity train 600 to 800 MAM mechanics every year.

Technology skills being offered
The curriculum is framed keeping in mind the educational levels of the candidates (Secondary school educated) and is oriented towards practical training with basic theoretical inputs. The delivery is largely by ‘hands on training’ and stress is on performing skills (set at industry standards).The SKILLS Academies have state-of-the-art facilities for new employable skills training, with advanced pedagogic tools to accelerate the process of learning. The short-term, occupationally focused programmes being offered currently are:
1. Diploma in Electronics Maintenance and Servicing Technology
2. Diploma in Refrigeration and Air – Conditioning
3. Diploma in Computer Hardware Technology
4. Certificate Programme in Mobile Phone Technology
The trainees are also trained in a common module comprising modern household appliances such as, washing machines, dishwashers, fans, and other electrical items, in order to augment their skill sets with more employable skills.
In addition to these hard technology skills, the soft skills such as communication, planning, attitudinal training, service estimate preparation etc. shall enable them to satisfy the requirements of the employers and/or customers, more. Moreover, for those of them who have the desire and the necessary attitude for entrepreneurship, special training modules in micro venture entrepreneurship development is also planned. This shall be a tremendous opportunity for the unemployed youth.
The programmes are widely publicized through the newspaper and other media, and interested persons obtain the application form and details from the SKILLS Academies directly. Selection of trainees is based only on the aptitude for technical skills. Course fee charged, ranges from Rs. 4500 – 7500 per programme with concessions offered to physically challenged trainees.
The 4 SKILLS Academies in the PPP mode at Chennai and Bangalore, have achieved moderate success and the private entrepreneurs have leveraged the efforts manifold, for better returns, while responding precisely to the market quality requirements. Over 1400 students have been trained so far