The Elevating Eminence of Skill Development Programs in India

1. The Elevating Eminence of Skill Development Programs in India Success in the 21st labor market mandates a comprehensive set of skills. The rising eminence of technology, urbanization, globalization, demographic changes, and climate change is changing the dynamics of the professional sector, in general, and the skills associated with it. The hour’s need is skill development programs that can inculcate crucial dexterity into the manpower. As per the World Bank, some of the fundamental work-related skills that we need to nurture for fulfilling employment in the future are – ● Cognitive skills such as the ability to grasp complex ideas, adaptability, ability to learn from experience, and sound reasoning are foundational for viable employment. ● Socio-emotional skills that enable a person to navigate interpersonal and social situations are invaluable assets. Leadership capabilities, teamwork, self-control, and perseverance are some of the vital socio-emotional skills. ● Technical skills are necessary to perform any task in a modern, machine-driven economy skillfully. The workforce must be able to maneuver new tools, devices, and technologies swiftly. ● Digital skills such as the ability to access, manage, understand, integrate, communicate, evaluate, and create information securely and appropriately have become fundamental in the labor market of the contemporary internet-driven era. Concerted efforts to develop the skills of the labor force helps in concretizing their inert potential and help a country transform into a global economic prowess. Skill development in India has tremendous significance in India as the country will have a share of about 18 percent of the world’s skilled workforce. Hence, the country has to elevate the skilled manpower strength to 47 million by 2020, and this increase is only possible through effective skill development programs. India has the demographic advantage of being the most juvenile workforce with an average age of 29 years. But, only 5 percent of the workforce has feasible employability skills. Recent studies have revealed that only 25 percent of Indian graduates are ‘employable’ per se in the organized sector. Such jarring statistics are a matter of great concern as the vast gulf between employability and education can plunder the socio-economic scenario of the country. But, simultaneously, there is enormous scope to polish the Indian manpower by advancing skills relevant to the emerging economic environment. The Indian government, along with pertinent stakeholders, has been working incessantly to produce skilled workers. Skill Development Programs in India that everyone should know about The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, abbreviated as MSDE, attempts to bridge the gap between the country's demand and supply of skilled manpower by building a vocational training and technical training framework, skill-up gradation, and innovative thinking. Skill India is a 2015 initiative of the Indian government to train 40 crore people in several industry-related jobs. The program envisages an empowered Indian workforce by 2020. 1. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) – It is the flagship skill development program of the Government of India (GOI). The initiative aims to foster employability skills and enhance the working efficiency of the upcoming and existing daily wage earners by providing

2. them with monetary awards and training. The average award per person is Rs 8000, and those workers with a standard level of skill are recognized by the scheme and given a reward of Rs 2000 – 2500. The training under PMKVY is conducted based on National Occupational Standards (NOS). 2. Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS)– This scheme is implemented through NGOs and has been in function since 1967. The scheme's primary objective is to improve the occupational skills and technical knowledge of the non-literates or neo literates and persons having a rudimentary level of education that is up to the 8th standard or 12th standard, respectively. In addition, the scheme aims to raise efficiency, increase productivity and enhance the likelihood opportunities of the said population. Self-employment, promotion of traditional skills through upskilling, and creating social awareness are a few of the key pointers of the JSS scheme. 3. Skills Strengthening for Industrial Value Enhancement (STRIVE) – It is a World Bank abetted skill development program of India. The initiative's primary goal is to accentuate the relevance and efficacy of the skill training activities in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and apprenticeships by rolling in SMEs, business ventures, and industries. Conclusion It is a fact that the development of skills can lead to structural transformation and economic growth by enhancing worker employability and productivity and making the socio-economic setup more competitive. As such, investment in the workforce via skill development programs is a virtuous cycle, wherein quality skills and capabilities galvanize productivity, growth, and FDI, which results in more job creation and more well-paid jobs for the current workforce and more public and private investment in the education and training system. The culmination is an overall increase in the employability and productivity of both the current and future workforce. Tech Mahindra Foundation – the CSR arm of Tech Mahindra Limited – relentlessly works in education, employability, and disability to empower everyone. Resource: https://techmahindrafoundation.org/employability-skill-development/