new delhi with an objective to enhance integration of technical and vocational education at schools national skill development corporation nsdc has collaborated with over 21000 cbseaffiliated schools across the country for the first edition of the junior skills championship 2021with registrations ending on may 31 the competition aims to leverage its experience and expertise in leading indias participation at world skills international competitions since 2011this initiative aims to create wider awareness about the importance of skill development among youth at an early age the championship which will be held virtually this year will provide students an opportunity to identify their talent and make informed career choices stated nsdctargeted at students in classes viixii the championship will provide a platform for talented children to showcase their skills at the same time it will create a pipeline for forthcoming world skills competitions and will connect education with industryrelated skillsit will have activities planned over the course of next two months including skill competitions for schools career counselling webinars digital seminars and panel discussions online boot camps and roundtable conference of academicians and corporates leading up to the final national competition in april 2021prakash sharma cfo nsdc said this is the first time it is done as part of the national education policy 2020 where the emphasis has been laid on the integration of vocational courses in schoolswhile schools may reopen physically as of now we are targeting skills like graphic design fashion technology and others in online mode but may do the final competition physically in the next few months he added