Pune: Union Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy has said that it's important to make skills training aspirational in order to provide employment to India's 500 million youth.

"If the 500 million young population of the country has to get employment opportunity there is a need to make skills training aspirational. The ministry is planning to rope in retired Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) as trainers in the skill development programme. As such officers are well trained and disciplined. This will resolve our manpower crisis. So, my ministry along with Minstry of Defence are working closely.” the Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship said in Pune on Tuesday while addressing delegates at a seminar on health skills organised by the Symbiosis Institute of Health Sciences, which is a constituent of the Symbiosis International University (SIU).