The National conference on a very contemporary and relevant theme, “Perspectives and Approaches to Employable Skill Development in New India”, was organized in Delhi by Jaipuria School of Business (JSB) on 11th August by Jaipuria School of Business. The conference was inaugurated by Hon’ble Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Shri Dharmendra Pradhan.
Over 200 intellectuals from the academia, corporate and civil society and 100 Management students participated in the conference. Over a dozen eminent intellectuals from ASTP (Alliance of Skill Training Partners), Knowledge Partner for the Conference; NSDC and other enterprises discussed the best practices adopted for Skill India vision. A Book was released on the occasion under the Conference Title carrying 17 Best Practices, 24 research papers and 9 articles out of over 100 Papers contributed for the compendium pan-India. In the forenoon session, Seven Best Practices were presented and 10
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan who was the Chief Guest on the occasion praised JSB Chairman Shri Shishir Jaipuria and the organizing committee for organizing this event. Sh. Pradhan, Speaking at the National Conference on Perspectives & Approaches the youth of the nation to take it upon themselves to make skilling an inseparable part of their education. “Skill Development has an impact on every component of the society especially our youth,” the Minister said. “Our society is changing and respectability is no longer linked with education alone but also with skill. Today, skill is related to aspiration and technology is an enabler to fulfilling this aspiration. We must map this aspiration to create synergy of skill and education, link it with employability. Educational institutes have to introduce a dual education system by marrying pedagogy with skill training with an eye on the future.”
The objective of the Conference was to provide a common platform to Academicians, Researchers, Scientists, Industry Professionals and students to showcase their research work and create a forum for effective exchange of ideas to tackle the challenge of skilling the demographic dividend of India and making it employable.
Sh. Shishir Jaipuria, Chairman, Jaipuria Group of Educational Institutions addressed the gathering and welcomed all the dignitaries and guests to the event. Sh. RCM Reddy, MD & CEO, IL & FS Education & Technology Services Ltd. was the keynote speaker while Sh. Manish Kumar, MD & CEO, National Skill Development Corporation was the Guest of Honour. The introductory session concluded with a Vote of Thanks proposed by Dr. SK Mahapatra, Director, Jaipuria School of Business. On this occasion, organizations were felicitated for their Exceptional Contribution to Skill Development including three Corporate Organisations.
Research paper presentations were made and jury comprising Dr Purnima Gupta and Dr Jyoti Rana adjudicated by Dr. Jyoti Rana. The Jury in their address, appreciated the insightful work of the presenters. The best presenters were awarded during the valedictory session. Shri Vinod Malhotra, Member of the Board of Governors, Jaipuria School of Business delivered the valedictory address. Conference rapporteur Dr Parul Tyagi and Dr Mangesh Das gave an over view of Conference proceedings and Dr Nitin Saxena, Convener of the National Conference proposed the vote of thanks. The Conference concluded with the National Anthem.
Following is a recap of the points presented and discussed in the conference:
Sri Shishir Jaipuria: Chairperson Jaipuria Group of Educational Institutions & Board of Governors, JSB
Talking about skilling through schooling, he recognized the vision of the Prime Minister of india becoming the Skill Capital of World, shaping India, and he recognized the efforts by Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan in working towards it. He said the prime objective of this workshop is to strengthen the ecosystem and create a skillful employment atmosphere for all. He mentioned that India is a galaxy of thought leaders and therefore it needs scientific thoughts to create processes to augment skill in India. He said not only micro skill initiatives but joining the Skill India Mission is the true value creation that the Jaipurias are looking at currently.
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan: Union Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas & Skills Development & Entrepreneurship
The minister highlighted the historic importance of this venue and thanked Chairman of Jaipuria Group for choosing this venue.
- He said that although our education gave knowledge, experience and the exposure to understand the world however employability is still a question. Our education & employability work contradictorily. Therefore there is need to bring in synergy between these two.
- The world is changing very fast. Therefore all countries need to have a country specific strategy. Self Esteem is the greatest software which if not handled properly may not create a proper economy.
- He highlighted the 3-B formula of our Prime minister: Bio-mass, Bio Fuels, Bio Energy
Mr. Manish Kumar: MD & CEO, National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)
He emphasized on the need for Skills to be connected to Employment and said there are two ways to integrate Skills with Academics. 1. Embedded Skilling & 2. Independent Skilling. This is done so that graduates do not lack employability.
- He mentioned that there are loss of jobs due to automation and there are new jobs created and new skills are emerging. Therefore, the focus is on the jobs and the opportunities that are in line with the new employability skills.
- He proposed the possibility of association with JSB, ASTP and other such institutions for taking the initiatives ahead.
Highlights from the sessions:
Shri Navanit Samaiyar: CEO, ASTP
- He spoke about ASTP and said that this unique non-government and not-for-profit body which focuses on excellence in providing high quality skills.
- He said ASTP has 45 members with 7000 centres training 5 million youths in more than 30 sectors with a Mission in making skills aspirational and globally relevant
Shri Rajiv Sharma: ASTP President & Founder, MD Empower Pragati
He highlighted the misconception of people that “every poor person is unhappy”. He talked about his personal experience when he saw some of the well trained staff at the residence of Mr. B.K. Modi and he liked that the domestic workers employed there are smart, empowered and skilled. This was his inspiration to propose training for domestic workers to NSDC.
- He talked about the skills interventions in Business Schools in India that need to incorporate practical skills with theoretical inputs.
- NSDC connects lots of foreign institutions and industries connect with Indian students. He also mentioned about the relevance of NSDC certificate to the private sector.
Mr Asit Kumar Nanda: Director Personnel, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited
He shared his perspective about integrating theory and practical aspects of skills development
- He spoke about the importance of institutions like ITI as skill development institutions and their pass-outs were directly being absorbed by Government
- He mentioned Tata Steel’s training centre and the capability of the training offered by NTTF Bengaluru to the 10th & 12th science background students in shaping them very well in their PPT presentations.
- He said a lot of employability has increased and people are competing at national level of skills. Therefore we need an amendment of the rules to cater to the criteria aspect for recruitment.
Ms. Miriam Carter: Director, OPJCC on Global Perspectives on Skilling
She said that Skills Development is actually a vocational education and mentioned that the present state of the skills development is a concern all over the globe. In India the issues are due to social, cultural and economic factors
She said we should have an Effective programme for employment that includes:
- Identifying high growth, high potential sector
- Making decisions based on evidence, data, research (qualitative & quantitative)
- Programme should be actively & closely coupled with stake holders, having stake in vocational education training
- Forecasting the jobs of future to get positive results
- Flexibility is required in system and assessment to cope with flexibiity in needs of industry
- Student development includes child care support, hospitals, hostels, travel means & counselling
- Service training programme should be there with the use of technologies
Community colleges have been formalized in many countries as vocational training institutes so it has relevance, quality, accessibility.
Jalajakshi: Head, Consulting & Products, LabourNet
Shared the current employment issues
- Quality of employment & under-employment the real issue, not employment
- Under wage a larger issue than wage
- It is not skilling vs education, it is both
- Livelihood is a matter of securing family, beyond the individual job
Mr. Soumen Acharya: Orion Edutech
Showcased the initiatives taken by Orion in training students
- Live Distance Training Sessions in collaboration with the People Link Software
- Multimedia teaching techniques like Mobile application and multimedia
- aided practical training
- 360° training, encompassing job skills, soft skills and life skills
- State-of-the-Art Infrastructure and fully equipped digital training facilities
- On-the-Job (OJT) training and hands – on industry experience
- Frequent Industry Visits and Industry Expert Sessions
Dr. Vibha Sharma: Gram Tarang
Dr Vibha shared the story of Gram Tarang through their presence, training pedagogy, social impact and track record
Ms. Syed Namra: Empower Pragati
Ms. Namra discussed the following points covered in presentation:
- Capacity Building
- Rapport with the community
- Enhanced Mobilisation
- Improved Attendance
