The above pointers imply that while the world is ageing, India is growing younger by the day. This may be good news but the truth is that we can reap the benefits of a young demographic dividend only if we have skilled manpower.
In fact, the growing economy of India has thrown up a huge supply crunch. According to a survey conducted by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) on new job creation in India between 2012 and 2022, the sheer numbers that India needs is something to think about.
As Manjunatha Prasad, commissioner, employment and training, Bangalore, points out, “If we do not convert our human asset, it will become a liability.”
The only way to do it is through vocational education — a blend of both theoretical and hands-on learning, which equips one with skills required for a specific job or profession. Traditionally, imparting vocational skills has been the forte of government-run Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), though there are many private players in this space.
“While vocational education has been closely linked with vocational skills, I believe there are other areas that can be categorised as vocational skills too,” says Hari Menon, CEO, India Skills. He adds, “Take a generic MBA and compare it with an MBA with a specialisation in finance. That is a vocational skill.”
CHALLENGES
One of the greatest challenges of empowering the young Indian population with 21st Century skills seems to be numbers. Elaborating on the problems of a swelling population like India, Dilip Chenoy, CEO and MD, National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), says, “First, while we are imparting skills to five million people a year, eight million people enter the workforce annually. Secondly, while a host of training organisations ‘skill’ people, the skills are not aligned with industry needs; also, the skills are not entrepreneurial. Thirdly, when candidates complete the skill development programme, the qualifications do not match the occupational standards.”
According to Menon, the biggest problem in India is that Indians tend to prefer degrees to vocational skills. The industry too, does not go by mandates such as certification. Besides, both skilled and unskilled people are hired. So learners don’t see why they need a certification.
Compare this with the UK, the largest in vocational education, where certification is a must and you need a license to work. The solution,
according to Manish Sabharwal, co-founder and chairman, TeamLease Services, is to expand higher education. Ideally, he says, there must be a corridor which enables someone with a three-month skill certificate to move on to a diploma and then to a degree.
Sabharwal adds that in India, out of 265 lakh, 105 lakh candidates are unable to clear their class X boards; out of 105 lakh, 80 lakh fail to clear the class XII boards; out of 80 lakh, 50 lakh join higher education, while 30 lakh disappear.
The need for vocational education can no longer be ignored.
In fact, the growing economy of India has thrown up a huge supply crunch. According to a survey conducted by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) on new job creation in India between 2012 and 2022, the sheer numbers that India needs is something to think about.
As Manjunatha Prasad, commissioner, employment and training, Bangalore, points out, “If we do not convert our human asset, it will become a liability.”
The only way to do it is through vocational education — a blend of both theoretical and hands-on learning, which equips one with skills required for a specific job or profession. Traditionally, imparting vocational skills has been the forte of government-run Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), though there are many private players in this space.
“While vocational education has been closely linked with vocational skills, I believe there are other areas that can be categorised as vocational skills too,” says Hari Menon, CEO, India Skills. He adds, “Take a generic MBA and compare it with an MBA with a specialisation in finance. That is a vocational skill.”
CHALLENGES
One of the greatest challenges of empowering the young Indian population with 21st Century skills seems to be numbers. Elaborating on the problems of a swelling population like India, Dilip Chenoy, CEO and MD, National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), says, “First, while we are imparting skills to five million people a year, eight million people enter the workforce annually. Secondly, while a host of training organisations ‘skill’ people, the skills are not aligned with industry needs; also, the skills are not entrepreneurial. Thirdly, when candidates complete the skill development programme, the qualifications do not match the occupational standards.”
According to Menon, the biggest problem in India is that Indians tend to prefer degrees to vocational skills. The industry too, does not go by mandates such as certification. Besides, both skilled and unskilled people are hired. So learners don’t see why they need a certification.
Compare this with the UK, the largest in vocational education, where certification is a must and you need a license to work. The solution,
according to Manish Sabharwal, co-founder and chairman, TeamLease Services, is to expand higher education. Ideally, he says, there must be a corridor which enables someone with a three-month skill certificate to move on to a diploma and then to a degree.
Sabharwal adds that in India, out of 265 lakh, 105 lakh candidates are unable to clear their class X boards; out of 105 lakh, 80 lakh fail to clear the class XII boards; out of 80 lakh, 50 lakh join higher education, while 30 lakh disappear.
The need for vocational education can no longer be ignored.
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