Can Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Apprenticeships change the landscape of skilling in India? Of course, if they are implemented well with utmost efficiency and quality. While RPL is gaining ground with many individuals being certified across industry sectors, apprenticeship is yet to get accepted by the industry, as a gainful strategy for capacity building.
A critical area of concern is to sensitise MSMEs to think and act on engaging apprentices, since, still apprenticeships are mostly limited to PSUs. National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) and other incentivised initiatives need a lot of awareness creation and sensitization for obtaining the desired outcomes. RPL 4, the employer-driven scheme should also get wider acceptance for sustained engagement with the industry.
An example from the leather sector: The RPL Certification ceremony
The Leather sector is an export driven sector and has the potential to create 2 million jobs in the next 5 years. The Government of India had recently announced in the Budget of 2019 that export duty be rationalized on raw and semi-finished leather increasing opportunities in the sector. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is being implemented in this sector to certify the skills of the existing workforce who have are self-skilled or semi-skilled and align them with NSQF competencies. Read more…
Public Sector Units (PSUs) encouraged to increase number of apprentices as part of total workforce
Apprenticeships can pave the way for long-term skilling for candidates who have completed their short-term training programs and help in meeting the industry demand. Most PSUs are hiring apprentices for technical and manufacturing job roles. However, the number of apprentices in the service sector is lagging behind. Senior executives of major PSUs, were also urged to hire students who have cleared skill programmes under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), a flagship scheme of MSDE implemented by National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). Read more…
Fourth anniversary of Skill India Mission World Youth Skills Day 2019 sees more than 1 crore youth joining the skilling ecosystem every year
On World Youth Skills Day, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) celebrated the fourth anniversary of the Skill India Mission in the presence of many high-profile dignitaries. A clutch of big-ticket announcements and signing of MoUs to empower youth with appropriate skill training marked the day that saw several Ministers and government officials come together to show their commitment to the avowed Skill India Mission. Read more…
