Augmenting Vocational Education in Schools for Adolescents

The strength of a country is largely determined by the extent of value that its human resource exhibits. 40% of the country’s population is less than 18 years of age. India currently has the world’s largest student body with 135 million children attending primary schools. With education and skilling being one of the core aspects towards creating a worthwhile human resource, it becomes fundamental to devote attention towards this sector.

Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Vocationalization of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (CSS-VSHSE) in partnership with MHRD Government of India, is a vocational training program implemented through the state education department known as Rashtriya Madhyamik Sarvshikhsa Abhiyan (RMSA). The program allows the integration of vocational education along with the mainstream academic education beginning from Class 9 until the completion of Class 12.

The Model

IL&FS Skills Development Corporation Limited (ISDC) one of the largest vocational training partners in the country is implementing this program across 15 states with more than 1300 government schools. The vocational education is provided to the students through qualified sector experts/vocational trainers across 10 sectors such as Apparel, Automotive, Beauty & Wellness, Construction, Electronics & Hardware, Healthcare, Tourism & Hospitality, IT/ITes, Retail and Telecom.

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From class IX onwards NSQF Level 1 courses are introduced that progress up to NSQF Level 4 courses. By the time the student passes out of class XII, he/she is NSQF Level 4 certified. Post Class XII, the student is free to pursue higher education with a university or take up a job according to their requirements.

IL&FS Skills has imparted training to more than 87,000 students in the past three years with IT/ITes, Healthcare and Automobile being the top three sectors in which training has been imparted. The program encourages inclusive learning through mainstream formal education, skill training and certification. Following a structured training module, it results into sustainable livelihood while positioning the importance of academic and skills training.

Success Story

A prototype of an “All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV)” was designed by the Automobile Vocational Students of GSSS Kuthera Distt. Bilaspur (H.P.) under the guidance of Principal Sh. R.K. Sharma and School Coordinator Dr. Shiv Ram (Lecturer Sanskrit) and Mr. Ashish Kumar & Mr. Amit Dhiman Vocational Trainer of Automobile.

A single-seater vehicle which can be used by a handicapped person and on installation of the hydraulic system can also be used for agriculture purposes.