NEW DELHI: In a major push to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pet project Skill India Mission, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Wednesday approved two new skill development schemes.The Union cabinet approved seventh pay commission award for teachers, a Diwali gift that will benefit nearly 8 lakh teachers employed in central government educational institutions. The two schemes include the Rs 4,455 crore Skills Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion ( SANKALP ) and Skill Strengthening for Industrial Value Enhancement (STRIVE) of Rs 2,200 crore.SANKALP is a centrally sponsored scheme backed by Rs 3,300 crore loan from the World Bank whereas half of the total cost of STRIVE will also be borne by the World Bank. SANKALP and STRIVE are pitched as outcome focused schemes marking shift in government's implementation strategy in vocational education and training from inputs to results.“The two schemes shall address this need by setting up national bodies for accreditation & certification which shall regulate accreditation and certification in both long and short-term Vocational Education and Training (VET),” a statement said.The new architecture will help to converge the efforts of various central, state and private sector institutions thereby avoiding duplication of activities and bringing about uniformity in vocational training thus, creating better impact. According to the statement, both the schemes are aimed at institutional reforms and improving quality and market relevance of skill development training programs.While STRIVE will incentivise ITIs to improve overall performance including apprenticeship by involving SMEs, business association and industry clusters, SANKALP envisages setting up of trainers and assessors academies with self-sustainable models. “The schemes shall provide the required impetus to the National Skill Development Mission 2015 and its various sub missions,” it said. The government feels the schemes will develop a skilling ecosystem that will support the country's rise in the Ease of Doing Business index by steady supply of skilled workforce to the industry.The schemes will also work towards increasing the aspirational value of skill development programs by increasing the marketability of skills, through better industry connect and quality assurance.The Union cabinet approved revision of pay scales for about 8 lakh teachers and other equivalent academic staff in higher educational institutions under the purview of the University Grants Commission (UGC) and in Centrally Funded Technical Institutions, following implementation of the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission for Central Government employees.