The Uttar Pradesh government has launched the Skill Development, Technical Upgradation and Certification Scheme under the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) framework to formally train and certify registered construction workers, enabling them to earn wages aligned with their skill levels.
The scheme was inaugurated on December 23, 2025, in Lucknow by the Minister for Labour and Employment, Government of Uttar Pradesh, under the Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board. The initiative aims to strengthen workforce capabilities while ensuring income security and dignified livelihoods for labourers.
Under the programme, registered construction workers will receive modern, industry-relevant technical training based on their existing experience. The state government said its objective is to ensure every worker leads a safe, empowered, and respectable life. Uttar Pradesh currently has around 1.89 crore registered construction workers under the welfare board.
To implement RPL training, a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board and the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET). The certification awarded after training will be nationally and internationally recognised.
In the first phase, training is being rolled out across seven districts—Gautam Buddh Nagar, Ghaziabad, Lucknow, Ayodhya, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, and Jhansi. The state has set a target to train one lakh registered workers, with 20,000 workers to be covered in the initial batch across multiple trades. Training will be conducted by NITCON Limited, a government and public sector organisation.
To prevent financial hardship, workers will receive compensation for wage loss during the training period. The amount will be transferred directly to their bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
After successful completion of training, workers will receive NCVET-certified certificates, helping them access minimum wages as per their skill category and opening up new employment opportunities at both national and international levels.
