PM Internship Scheme Aims to Bridge Employability Gap for Graduates Says Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman

PM Internship Scheme Aims to Bridge Employability Gap for Graduates Says Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted the goals of the Prime Minister Internship Scheme, designed to address the employability gap among fresh graduates entering the workforce. Speaking at the ‘Meet the Great Leaders' event at St Teresa's College in Ernakulam, Kerala, Sitharaman noted that companies today seek more than just academic qualifications and prefer candidates with practical skills, reducing the need for on-the-job training.

The minister shared that, as of Monday, 39 companies from India’s top 500 have provided 1,800 internships in Kerala, with one-third of those opportunities based in Ernakulam. Internships are offered across various sectors, including manufacturing, automotive, textiles, banking, financial services, travel, and hospitality.

The scheme has already seen more than 91,000 internship opportunities posted on the portal, with 155,000 students registered. Emphasizing the need for financial literacy from an early age, Sitharaman advocated for financial education to be introduced to children, ensuring they develop money management skills early in life.

The Finance Minister also noted that India has the potential to lead globally in fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), big data, and analytics—key drivers of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. She attributed this potential to the innovation and talent of India's youth, who continue to develop out-of-the-box solutions. Additionally, Sitharaman mentioned that international institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank have recognized India as the fastest-growing economy.

She concluded by stating that the combined efforts of the people, along with government support and policies, have created an environment where sustainable growth is achievable.