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Bridging Gap Of Industry Linkages In Skill Training
Introduction:
ITIs(Industrial Training Institutes), Vocational training institutes, sector skill councils(SSCs) and private training centres are institutions for skill training in India with the objective of “skill, reskill and upskill”. These institutions have stopped functioning due to COVID pandemic induced restrictions. This deprives skill training for about 1 crore people and impacts their employment prospects.
In such a context, NSDC(National Skill Development Corporation) has partnered with TCS for e-skilling online. But, the structural constraint of lack of industry linkage to skill training is not addressed by this.
bridging gap in skill training – industry linkages:
- Disconnect of the curriculum with needs of industry. This results in a need for retraining after joining a job and hence we see low placement of only 8.5%. As COVID 19 changes industry operations, this gap between skills required and curriculum will widen.
- Lack of practical training. Complete classroom training without internships or apprenticeships leads to incomplete skilling. COVID 19 will further exacerbate this due to movement restrictions
- Sector Skill Councils(SSCs)led by industry have largely been ineffective and need restructuring.
As firms minimize hiring due to COVID related uncertainties, placements after skill training will be further impacted due to skill deficit.
Pandemic induced crisis can be turned into an opportunity to strengthen the skilling infrastructure in India.
Steps to bridge gaps in skill training are:
- Strengthening apprenticeship program: Apprentices get skilling on the job for a period of 1-3 years. Government supports this through the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme and pays 25% of stipend. This has to be strengthened by awareness campaigns like apprenticeship pakhwada. Also apprentices hiring should be made more hassle free. This will ensure practical training based skilling.
- Dual system of training(DST): All training programs must have both classroom and industry training components. This DST has to be promoted by increasing industry partnerships, participation of industry in curriculum design and assessments.
- Haryana has implemented it successfully which has led to 30% pre placement offers from industry
- Skill – job matching databases: Making data of skilled workers accessible to industry with safeguards of consent and data security. Currently such databases are in silos and need to be integrated.
- Recent ASEEM(Atmanirbhar skilled employee employer mapping) portalfor skill-job matching is a step in the right direction.
Conclusion:
ILO estimates India will have a skill deficit of 29 million by 2030. COVID pandemic will further exacerbate this deficiency. Only by responsive policies and bold reforms in skill India mission, can India hope to harness the vast demographic dividend.
Source:https://www.financialexpress.com
Mains question:
- Skill training in India needs more industry linkages. Discuss? [15 marks, 250 words]
