Skill Development News Digest

In this bi-weekly update on skill development, vocational training and apprenticeship let’s take a look at the major developments that contribute to the overall Skill India mission. It’s good to know that apprenticeship is being promoted as the best model of skilling and the new episodes of Hunnarbaaz are dedicated to this form of learning, doing and earning.

Apprenticeship is highly recommended by industry experts as a win-win for for both the industry and jobless or under employed youth. Meanwhile, the next 10 episodes of ‘Hunnarbaaz’ focus on Apprenticeship Training Scheme . This is being telecast on Doordarshan National to create awareness about the Apprenticeship Training Scheme and its benefits.
MOOCs are gaining popularity in the area of skill development as Skillup India, which is supported by California-based Edcast provides tutorials under four categories – healthcare, manufacturing, governance and technology.

Industry update

The shortage of skilled professionals in Indian healthcare is quite startling. The need for two million doctors and four million nurses is evident in the doctor-to-population ratio of India is an abysmal 0.65 per 1,000. The total skill gap is approximately 97.9 per cent across various health workforce categories, according to the findings in a study by Public Health Foundation of India for Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Maruti Suzuki Training Academy is offering training to school dropouts to make them skilled technicians in automobiles. The training faclility, Maruti Suzuki Training Academy (MSTA) at Gurgaon plant is overseeing 27 government ITIs, imparting training to around 11,000 students.
Power major BSES is going to offer a course in skill development aimed primarily at acquainting the frontline network staff, who deal with live wires and other hazards, with modern practices and creating a talent pool. The six-month-long “Competency Certificate in Power Distribution” program will be offered in association with IGNOU.
Around 89 lakh skilled workers will be required in electronics and hardware sector by 2022: NSDC Report This is one of the emerging sectors for employment growth in India which employs over 4.3 million people in India across manufacturing, sales and marketing and repair and maintenance segments.
India’s Handlooms and Handicrafts sector is expected to require 17.79 million skilled workforce by 2022 and is projected to grow 16 %. According to the report majority of Handlooms workers have never received any kind form of formal education (rural 32 per cent and urban 29 per cent).

News from the states

Telangana State to introduce vocational training in regular courses:To fill the gap between academics and skills, the Telangana State Council of Higher Education (TSCHE) has proposed to introduce additional vocational training in higher education institutes from the next academic year.
Empowering girls from minority families through vocation training: At the vocational centre, which is run jointly by the Aga Khan Foundation and Mahita, an NGO, the girls are taught tailoring and trained in beautician course.
Skill training scheme launched in Kerala: The launch included an awareness class by Prowins Agri System, a PMKVY affiliated trainee service provider and an enrolment registration for the students who have passed out of the school.
NU introduces B.Voc. at SASRD Medziphema: Nagaland University (NU) has introduced Bachelor of Vocation (B.Voc.) .The programme includes two courses including “plant propagation” and “nursery management technology”.
Bharathidasan University will now offer three vocational programmes under the project, Knowledge Acquisition and Upgradation of Skilled Human Abilities and Livelihood (KAUSHAL). The three undergraduate programmes are B Voc. (trouble shooting and maintenance of electrical and electronics equipment), B Voc. (automobile technology) and B Voc (logistics and supply chain management).
Skill University’ proposed for NE: A group of chief ministers, tasked with the responsibility of providing inputs on skill development, has recommended setting up a Skill University in the North East.

News from the government sector

Government plans to utilize unused infrastructure in engineering institutes for skill training: This will serve the dual purpose of enhancing capacity for skill training without further investment, and promoting optimal utilization of surplus infrastructure.
Upward mobility for MGNREGA workers: As many as 17 lakh workers have shown interest in moving to skilled employment. Their vocational interests vary from beauty and hairdressing to hospitality, construction, accounting, and garment making.The government will provide skill training through the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana, a livelihood programme, under which private sector training providers are roped in.
Govt colleges also to offer skilled development courses: The Department of Higher Education (DHE) has decided to allow government colleges across the state to offer skill development and vocational programmes from next academic session.Shortly, the DHE would invite proposals from the colleges for courses in different streams including applied arts, healthcare, media, technical skills, soft skills.
CBSE to offer vocation training for classes IX to XII: CBSE has empanelled 17 private training companies as Skill Knowledge Providers (SKPs) to provide training in sectors like automobile technology, retail management, banking and insurance, etc.
Government likely to frame a new law on right to skill : According to a report, such a right-based legislation backed by robust implementation will generate greater demand, remove the low esteem attached to vocational education and encourage more young persons to seek skill training.
To make skills aspirational, use tax sops, PPP, MP/MLA funds for skilling India suggests the CM’s panel. The pathway to career growth through skill development is yet to strike among the unemployed/under employed according to the report of a Chief Ministers’ Sub-Group on Skill Development in NITI Aayog.
Govt calls on universities to help implement Skill India mission: UGC asks over 700 universities, 35,000 colleges to join mission, use their infrastructure for skill training scheme…The aim is to put to use the infrastructure of these institutions beyond formal education.