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CBC
5 days ago
- CBC
First Nation man shot and killed by police 1 year after father's death in police shooting
Just over a year after his father was shot and killed by a police officer in Kenora, Ont., Eric Nothing's family has identified him as the victim of a police shooting in Deer Lake First Nation that occurred earlier this week. Ontario's police watchdog is investigating the incident, which took place in the remote Oji-Cree community in northwestern Ontario Tuesday afternoon. The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) says officers with the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service (NAPS) went to a residence in Deer Lake around 1:30 p.m. local time that day with a warrant to arrest a man, who then fled from the house. "There was an interaction, and one NAPS officer discharged his firearm at the man. Officers provided first aid and the man was taken to a nursing station where he was pronounced deceased," the SIU said in a news release issued Wednesday. Nothing's uncle, Joshua Frogg, described his nephew as a hard worker and a good person. During the community's recent evacuation due to a nearby wildfire, Nothing stayed behind to help with building maintenance and look after people's pets. "He volunteered to help in any crisis situation," Joshua Frogg told CBC News in an interview Thursday. "He was a very caring individual." About 1,100 people live in Deer Lake, which is about 580 kilometres northwest of Thunder Bay. Earlier this month, the SIU cleared a Kenora officer with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) of any wrongdoing in connection with the death of Bruce Wallace Frogg — Nothing's father — at Anicinabe Park in June 2024. In that case, Nishnawbe Aski Nation — which represents 49 First Nations across Treaties 9 and 5 — described the investigation as "severely flawed." "We reject the conclusion that the officers' actions were reasonable and justified," Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler said in a statement. I hate to say this, but it's just the reality for us as a family and maybe as Indigenous peoples, that the system is designed to fail us. The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of police that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault or the discharge of a firearm at a person. The agency says two investigators and one forensic investigator have been assigned to the Deer Lake case, as well as one subject official and one witness official. "I have nothing good to say about the SIU," Joshua Frogg said. "We have no trust in them." While the SIU initially identified Nothing as a 45-year-old man, spokesperson Kristy Denette confirmed to CBC News that he was in fact 40, and that the information initially received by the agency was incorrect. According to Denette, "the arrest warrant was in relation to assault." However, the family's experience with Bruce Wallace Frogg's investigation has made them leery of how the agency may handle Nothing's case, said Joshua Frogg. "I hate to say this, but it's just the reality for us as a family and maybe as Indigenous peoples, that the system is designed to fail us," Joshua Frogg said. "There is no justice." Wapekeka, Deer Lake First Nations in mourning In a news release issued Wednesday evening, the OPP Northwest Region said that "at the request of the NAPS, the OPP is investigating the circumstances leading up to NAPS attendance as well as the immediate situation at the scene as officers arrived." "The OPP investigation is separate from that of the SIU, which is investigating the police-involved interaction," the OPP says. Joshua Frogg said Nothing grew up in Wapekeka First Nation and moved to Deer Lake when he got married. He called his nephew an intergenerational residential school survivor, and said he was affected by the experiences of his father, grandmother and other relatives who were forced to attend residential schools. From celebrations to funerals, Joshua Frogg said Nothing was always involved in the community, and that Deer Lake and Wapekeka are grieving him together. As the SIU investigation unfolds, Joshua Frogg said he wants a separate agency to look into Nothing's death that is not staffed by former police officers. "[The police are] basically investigating themselves, and that is not a good thing in our view," he said. Jeremy Sawanis, a band councillor for Deer Lake, posted on Facebook that a prayer service was being held Wednesday in Nothing's honour. "Chief and council would like to express our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of late Eric Nothing," Sawanis wrote. In the meantime, Joshua Frogg said the family is focusing on laying Nothing to rest and taking care of his wife and children. The OPP is asking anyone with information or video footage — including surveillance, dash cam, cell phone and social media — taken near the intersection of Police Station Road and Water Treatment Road in Deer Lake on Tuesday between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., to contact the service at 1-888-310-1122. People can also submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or
The Citizen
18-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Glitch blocks access to online Tshwane services
The Tshwane metro has announced that it is currently experiencing technical issues affecting both its e-Tshwane online platform and the Tshwane Mobile App. Due to this fault, customers have been unable to access several essential municipal services since July 17. Metro spokesperson, Lindela Mashigo, said the disruption began as a result of a faulty network connection between the city's internal network system and the e-Tshwane platform. This has also impacted access to the new mobile app. The city's technicians are currently attending to the matter with the aim of restoring the digital services as soon as possible.' He said in the meantime, several functions remain affected. 'This includes the submission of meter readings and clearance certificate applications, both of which will be queued for submission once the system is back online,' said Mashigo. He noted that residents have also been unable to log service queries or reports on either the online portal or the app, as reference numbers are not being generated. 'This includes the I Want to Report Service function.' Mashigo added that other affected services include account balance enquiries via the Get Balance feature, the New Applications Processing System (NAPS) GIS web services, and the submission and processing of building plans. 'The city apologises for the inconvenience caused to the affected customers,' he said. LISTEN: Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
India Gazette
11-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Skill Development Ministry empowers 1.5 crore people in a year
New Delhi [India], June 11 (ANI): From dusty village corners to buzzing digital labs, India's skilling movement has found new energy. Over the past year, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), under the steady guidance of Minister of State (Independent Charge) Jayant Chaudhary, has quietly rewritten the story of India's workforce, empowering over 1.5 crore people with skills that matter, a press release said. This momentum didn't happen overnight. It has been built through a mix of policy reform, industry partnerships, and deep community outreach. Take the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY 4.0)--over 1.63 crore youth have been trained, many in future-ready sectors like electronics, logistics, and healthcare. Likewise, the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) has placed more than 8.7 lakh apprentices across 1.5 lakh businesses, reflecting a strong push toward practical, on-the-job learning. A key strength of this movement has been the rising participation of women. Through the Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) scheme, over 5.05 lakh individuals have been trained 80 per cent of them women. From tailoring and beauty services to digital skills, women across India are stepping into the workforce with growing confidence and capability. To make apprenticeships more attractive, the government approved a 36 per cent hike in stipends, now ranging from Rs 6,800 to Rs 12,300 per month, with adjustments every two years based on inflation. This practical support is helping reduce dropouts and making apprenticeships a more viable choice, especially for those from low-income households. The transformation goes beyond individuals--it extends to institutions. Traditional ITIs are being upgraded with smart classrooms and updated curricula. A major leap came with the Rs 60,000 crore National Scheme for ITI Upgradation, which will modernise 1,000 ITIs and establish five National Centres of Excellence. These are being designed to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving job market. A big part of this shift is also digital. The Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) has emerged as a powerful platform--over 1 crore users and 50 lakh course completions--offering skills in AI, drone technology, cloud computing, and more. The portal is now integrated with flagship schemes like PM Vishwakarma, JSS, and even Green Hydrogen training, bringing high-tech learning to the remotest parts of the country. SIDH is also driving trust and transparency in certification. New NCVET-certified digital credentials now include QR codes, NSQF levels, photographs, and secure signatories--making certificates easier to verify and more useful for employers. The onboarding of JSS institutions onto SIDH using mobile OTP and Aadhaar e-KYC has made registration simple and scalable. On the ground, the energy is visible at events like Kaushal Mahotsavs in Bijnor and Bharatpur. With 17,000+ registrations and 3,000+ placements on the spot, these events are not just about employment--they're about creating hope at scale. At a policy level, more doors are being opened. The Model Skill Loan Scheme was relaunched with a higher credit cap--Rs 7.5 lakh, up from Rs 1.5 lakh--and now includes NBFCs and non-NSQF courses, allowing more youth to access high-quality training, even from private institutes. Minister Jayant Chaudhary's commitment to industry alignment has also strengthened public-private partnerships. Under PMKVY 4.0, collaborations with Air India SATS, Flipkart, and Swiggy are enabling co-pay skilling with guaranteed placements. And to future-proof this ecosystem, 8,000 new trainers are being trained under ToT programmes with HAL, ICT Academy, and NAC. Institutional development continues apace. Two Indian Institutes of Skills (IIS)--in Mumbai and Ahmedabad--have begun operations, with the first batches graduated in October 2024. Another 200 ITIs are being upgraded as Centres of Excellence, with 800 more in a spoke-hub model. Pilot programmes like the AI Programming Assistant, now running in 19 NSTIs, offer a glimpse into tomorrow's skill landscape. India's skill development efforts are also gaining global recognition. Renewed MoUs with Germany and Singapore, and the Ministry's presence at the World Economic Forum in Davos, highlight India's increasing role in shaping the future of global workforce standards. One standout partnership is with Microsoft--the AI Careers for Women initiative will train 20,000 women in Tier II and Tier III towns, blending innovation with inclusion. Across all these achievements, a quiet but clear narrative emerges--this isn't just a year of activity; it marks the beginning of long-term transformation. Minister Jayant Chaudhary's inclusive and reform-driven leadership has focused on making skills more accessible, market-relevant, and future-ready. From policy reform to digital innovation, and from women-led progress to global collaboration, the Ministry's work is no longer just about training--it's about changing lives. And the journey, it seems, has only just begun. (ANI)
India Today
28-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
Apprentices may get 30% higher stipend as central council proposes major hike
To support skill development and stop dropout among apprentices, the Central Apprenticeship Council (CAC) on Monday recommended increasing monthly stipends by 30% under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) and National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS).The proposal was made during the 38th CAC meeting, which was chaired by Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). The proposal is to enhance the attractiveness and economically feasible nature of the apprenticeship programme among students, especially considering rising living approval, the stipend range will rise from the current Rs 5,000 - Rs9,000 to Rs 6,800 - Rs 12,300. This move will be a relief for technical as well as non-technical apprentices, providing greater economic support and motivation for completing their training. Worth mentioning, the stipend will also be revised based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), leading to automatic revision after each two years based on inflation and pay THE GLOBAL APPRENTICESHIP GAPThe minister noted that India's apprenticeship engagement percentage is a paltry 0.27%, far from 4% in developed nations. The hike in stipends is among the steps being taken to bridge this gap and promote industry PM-NAPS, over 43.47 lakh apprentices have been trained across 36 states and UTs with 20% participation by women. Likewise, the NATS scheme has onboarded 5.23 lakh graduate and diploma apprentices in 2024-25 CAC also thought of expanding Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programmes (AEDPs), where classroom learning is combined with formal on-the-job training, making students more job-ready compared to regular reforms include merging the vocational training through the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) with apprenticeship for improved academic and industrial transition for revision final approval is pending as of now.
Indian Express
27-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Central Apprenticeship Council proposes 36% stipend hike for youth: what it means for students
The Central Apprenticeship Council (CAC), on Monday recommended a 36% increase in apprentice stipends under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) and National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS). Announced during the 38th CAC meeting chaired by Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), the proposal aims to bridge the gap between education and employment while lowering dropout rates and expanding industry participation. Once approved, the stipend would increase from the current Rs 5,000 – Rs 9,000 range to Rs 6,800 – Rs 12,300. This hike is aimed not only at reducing dropout rates, but also improving program attractiveness, and address the financial limitations that prevent many from continuing their apprenticeships. This upward revision would also be automatically adjusted every two years, based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), aligning with national salary cycles and ensuring that stipends remain relevant in the face of inflation, according to the statement released. 'The Central Apprenticeship Council's stipend increase is a welcome move and a strategic investment in India's human capital, directly addressing key challenges in apprenticeship uptake and retention. This enhanced financial support empowers more youth, particularly those from non-metro cities, to fully commit to rigorous training, reducing financial barriers that often lead to dropouts,' said Abhimanyu Saxena, Co-Founder of Scaler, an online upskilling platform for working tech professionals, focusing on software engineering. The government's proposal comes amid persistent concerns over dropout rates and poor apprenticeship penetration. With India's apprenticeship engagement at just 0.27% of the workforce, compared to 3-4% in developed nations, financial support is seen as a key lever for improving retention and encouraging participation. 'Despite notable progress, India's apprenticeship engagement remains significantly below global benchmarks. The stipend hike is a vital incentive to attract and retain talent in skilling programs,' noted Dr. Nipun Sharma, CEO of TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship, a public-private partnership program that blends academic study with work experience. According to the statement, dropout prevention was central to the CAC's agenda. By making apprenticeships financially viable, especially for students from rural and economically weaker backgrounds, the stipend revision is expected to encourage sustained participation across diverse sectors. Students in both technical and non-technical streams stand to gain. Under schemes like PM-NAPS, over 43.47 lakh apprentices have been engaged across 36 States and UTs, and female participation has touched 20%. The NATS scheme, targeting graduates and diploma holders, enrolled 5.23 lakh apprentices in the year 2024-25 alone. This stipend hike provides greater financial security to continue apprenticeships without interruption, improved job-readiness through exposure to real-world work environments and an overall increased higher appeal of vocational education, especially with rising cost-of-living in cities. 'Efficiency of production in India holds the key to how quickly we surpass global competitors. The skill level in many trades is still below global standards, and this increase is small but a welcome step,' said Dr VP Singh, Program Director at Great Lakes Institute of Management, Gurgaon. A major thrust of the CAC's discussion also focused on enhancing Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programmes (AEDPs). These integrate classroom learning with structured on-the-job training, offering a credible alternative to purely academic degrees. Reforms also include simultaneous notification of Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) and apprenticeship programs, ensuring better curricular alignment and smoother transitions for vocational learners. 'Our vision is to ensure every young person, regardless of background, gets a fair shot at a meaningful career through hands-on learning and industry exposure,' emphasised Minister Jayant Chaudhary, according to the statement.
