Vocational Education – Changing Lives, Building Careers
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By Sapna Samtani
Vocational training
The growth of the Indian economy in the recent past has led to a surge in demand for skilled and educated workers and the compulsion to sustain it is also forcing the Indian government to accelerate the process of developing all the branches of the Indian education system especially Vocational education.
The Indian education system does not give due importance to vocational education. As a result, there is a mismatch between skilled manpower required and skilled manpower available. People are more inclined towards attaining a graduation degree and generally look down upon vocational education.
What is Vocational Education?
The word “Vocational” means “Work Related”. Vocational education or skill based education enables students to acquire skills which are traditionally non-academic and totally related to a specific trade, occupation or vocation. Vocational education training generally fetches immediate employment and earnings.
These courses are activity based and more focussed on hands on training rather than the traditional class room learning.
Benefits of Vocational Education
Vocational education promotes skill development, matches education with employment, responds to industrial, employment and social needs and helps individuals to discover hidden potential. It provides easy access, flexibility in teaching and learning, is cost effective, provides equal opportunity and quality in training. In short, it responds to the un-employability problem of the nation.
Being trained in a specific vocation is always an added advantage for any job seeker. Being certified in any industry specific skill will not only help improve the employability of the candidate in the job market but also increase his chances of climbing up the job ladder and earning an enhanced pay package in comparison to students who have not been trained on any vocational skills.
Skill development plays a very important role in the growth of our economy and also the society. A right balance of skill, knowledge and attitude is required while moulding the young minds. Vocational education not only provides the youth with a means of livelihood, it also fills them with a sense of pride, self-confidence and achievement to be able to stand on their own feet.
Scope for Vocational Education in India
In most leading nations, a large percentage of students opt for a vocational training program ie Korea 96%, Japan 80%, Germany 75%, UK 68% ,USA 50 % wherein in India only 10% of the students go for vocational training.
By 2021, almost 70% of India’s population will be in the age group of 20-60 years where skills can be imparted. 15 million youth need initial vocational training every year in India, the existing capacity is only 3 million.
Barely 9.3 % of the Indian population joining the work force have graduate degrees. Even among these, only a fraction is actually employable.
Almost 40% of the employers say a lack of skills is the main reason for entry level vacancies. Given the current shortage of skilled labour, the industry would benefit tremendously if their needs are addressed by equipping students with employable skills.
Measures taken by the Government to promote Vocational Education
The government has introduced various courses and schemes to promote skill development. The Prime Minister is all set to make India the skill capital of the world through the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), the flagship outcome-based skill training scheme of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) under Skill India. It is India’s largest skill certification scheme and the objective is to enable and mobilize a large number of Indian youth to take up outcome based skill training and become employable and earn their livelihood. It is being implemented across the country through the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).
What are the types of Vocational training courses being offered in India?
Vocational education and training is being offered through short-term courses (2-6 months), Diplomas (1-2 years) or Degree courses (3-4 years). There are a variety of courses available for students after completion of 10th Standard. These courses can broadly be categorised as Service related or Technical / Skill trade related. They are offered by various institutes, schools, colleges and government aided institutes.
Some of the popular courses being offered can range from Retail, Hospitality, BPO, Banking, Event Management, Beauty Care, Photography, Web Designing, right up to Mobile repair, Telecommunication, Computer Science, Plumbing, Electrician, Tailoring and many more.
Most of the training institutes also support the trainees with job placements on completion of the course.
Target Segment who would benefit from Vocational Education
Although all age groups can benefit from vocational courses, the age group between 16 to 25 years are the current target segment in India who can be positively impacted by skill training. Vocational training also acts as a safety net for students who have dropped out of main stream education due to family or financial constraints by giving them an opportunity to obtain a qualification and a career, thus enabling them to earn a livelihood with dignity.
About the Author:
Sapna Samtani
Sapna Samtani comes with a background of professional experience in International Trade Promotion and Collaborations between India and the US while working with the Indo American Chamber of Commerce (IACC). She has spearheaded the IACC Indo US Education Forum aiding collaborations between Indian and US education institutions. She has also actively interacted with the American Community College Association in the US. She now heads Jeevika Skills Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation focussing on vocational education and skill development.
