"Primarily what we are looking at is, we want to bring this placement not only addressing the domestic industry... We are looking at how we can fulfil global manpower demand.

"We want to take it right up to the international standards. We want the people to be placed globally. We have identified seven such countries with such a huge requirement," the official, who did not want to be named, said.

Countries including U.S., Japan, Russia, Germany, France, UK, Middle East countries and China require millions of semi-skilled workers in the coming years.

The new programme aims at providing quality skill training and placement opportunities to rural poor youth in the age group of 15-35 years. An amount of 2,000 cr will be spent to train nearly two lakh rural youth annually and help of corporate sector will be sought to achieve the goal, he said.

Aajeevika Skills was launched by the previous UPA government to skill rural poor youth and provide them jobs with regular monthly wages at or above the minimum wage rates. It was one of a cluster of initiatives of Rural Development Ministry aimed at promoting rural livelihoods.