New Delhi, 10 March (H.S.): In a post-budget webinar hosted by the Centre, the government underscored the urgent need to skill 1.5 lakh multi-skilled caregivers through standardized curricula and multi-skill modules in health services, welfare, and allied sectors, paving the way for robust employment pathways in the care economy.

The session, titled Strengthening India's Care Ecosystem: Skilling 1.5 Lakh Multi-Skilled Caregivers, spotlighted the Union Budget 2026-27's commitment to building a structured, professional workforce in this vital domain. Organized by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, it featured Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Jayant Chaudhary, Secretary Debashree Mukherjee, Senior Economic Adviser Manisha Sen Sharma, Foreign Ministry Joint Secretary Prashant Pise, Assam Chief Secretary Gyanendra Dev Tripathi, Asian Development Bank Director Mia Oka, UNICEF's Georgia Varisko, Apollo Medskills Ltd CEO Dr. Srinivas Rao Pulijala, Portia Medical Director K. Ganesh, Sodexo India’s Sandeep Kumar, Mobile Creche CEO Sumitra Mishra, and other experts.

Jayant Chaudhary asserted that India's care economy represents both a social imperative and an economic opportunity. He highlighted how skilling 1.5 lakh caregivers would foster a professional ecosystem, creating dignified jobs especially for women, while partnerships with nations like Japan and Israel propel India toward becoming a global skills hub.

Debashree Mukherjee described the budget initiative as a pivotal chance to professionalize caregiving via training, standardized certification, and reliable career progression, ensuring dignity and recognition for workers. Manisha Sen Sharma added that the program addresses surging domestic demand alongside global needs for trained care professionals.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar