New Delhi: Over 1.30 lakh students have been trained as yoga instructors and trainers across the country in the last eight years. They have been trained through different skilling initiatives, primarily recognition of prior learning (RPL), short term training (STT) & special projects by Beauty & Wellness Sector Skill Council (B&WSSC).
This was stated by KK Dwivedi, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) at a function to mark the first-ever convocation ceremony of the B&WSSC students in for short-term training courses under Skill India Mission (SIM).
Speaking at the event, speakers said that the youths have availed tremendous opportunities in the field of Yoga after the SIM facilitated many organisations to encourage practice of yoga not only for physical development but also for mental growth. “Today, people across the country are learning yoga through our Skill India training centres and considering it as a career option,” added Dwivedi.
The B&WSSC, working under the aegis of the MSDE had organized the event on the theme of ‘Say Yes to Yog and No to Rog’, which was followed by the convocation ceremony. The MSDE has been working closely with B&WSSC to build awareness regarding various career prospects in the field of yoga and encourage youth to embrace them for a promising future.
Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, MSDE said, “Yoga is a holistic way to develop your inner as well as outer beauty. As we emerge from the detrimental impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, I foresee an urgent need for skill set enhancement of the potential workforce with a surge in demand for certified Yoga instructors and trainers.”
B&WSSC offers three specific courses for yoga – yoga instructor (B&W) NSQF 4, yoga trainer (B&W) NSQF 5 and senior yoga trainer (B&W) NSQF 6. Institutions like the Art of Living, The Yoga Institute and Patanjali have been associated with the sector skill council and have contributed to its success.
B&WSSC is one of the autonomous industry-led bodies set up by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) – the nodal agency of MSDE – to focus on establishing an effective and efficient ecosystem for developing and imparting skills in the beauty and wellness industry, through relevant content and curriculum, courses, information database, and delivery systems. Since its inception, the council has taken several steps toward organizing this sector by creating several job roles and enhancing the employability of the Indian workforce globally.
According to B&WSSC, the states with the highest number of skilled yoga students are Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Odisha, Kerala, and West Bengal. The sector skill council also has vocational education courses in yoga for CBSE schools starting from classes XI & XII. The B&WSSC has also signed an MoU with Art of Living in the presence of esteemed dignitaries for skilling of Indian youth in yoga.
