How COVID 2.0 is Likely to Impact Skill Development and Training

1. How COVID 2.0 is Likely to Impact Skill Development and Training? The pandemic seems to have brought the world to a standstill. Every economic or social activity worth its name has fallen prey to the virulence of this pathogen. The need to maintain social distancing to stop the spread of the infection has led cities, states, and countries to declare lockdowns or establish containment zones. Such has been the impact that the trajectory of the world economy has gone southward. With educational and training institutes

2. keeping shut as per the WHO guidelines, learning and skill development training have taken a backseat and confined to the virtual world. And even when there seemed to be a light at the end of the tunnel during the fag end of 2020 and the beginning of 2021, the second wave emerged out of the blue to knock us down, literally. The ferocity with which the second COVID wave hit us has made everyone shell shocked and many gasping, literally. The unprecedented numbers of patients have overwhelmed hospitals and health centers, resulting in their creaking at the seams. The marauding morbidity and mortality rate has put paid to all hopes of a recovery in 2021. With the situation going from bad to worse, let us first understand what the second wave is all about and how to address the grave situation. What is COVID 2.0? It is the characteristic of pathogens to mutate and find new hosts to conquer and multiply. The same has proved to be true for coronavirus with new mutant strains been reported in many places. COVID 2.0 is the second wave of this disease that was first identified in 2019. After ravaging the world in what came to be known as the first wave, the virus started mutating and was able to escape the defense mechanism of our immune system. It is a fact that many people had lowered their guards thinking the worst was over. The second wave is mostly attributed to the virulent mutated strains of coronavirus and the blatant disregard of COVID protocols by people at large. Is it more virulent than COVID 1.0? The mutated strains of coronavirus including the double mutants are extremely virulent and have pushed the morbidity and mortality rates to a new high. The strains seem to directly lodge themselves in the lungs instead of living in the nasal cavity and throat for some time, as was the case earlier. Besides, these strains are difficult to identify in routine COVID tests and give a sense of complacency to the affected person till such time when the situation turns dire. Impact on Skill Development and Training With more number of people staying indoors and economic activity coming to a halt, enterprises have cut down on recruitment and training. COVID 2.0 has virtually stopped most activities related to skill development and training and the focus has shifted to virtual interaction through video chats. For example, non-profit organizations such as Anudip playing a yeoman’s role in skilling

3. aspirational people from socially marginalized backgrounds have been forced to shift online and conduct training lessons to the aspiring youth. Even though COVID 2.0 has stopped educational and training institutes from opening physically, it has taken education and training to the virtual realm. Through Skype, Zoom, and Google Meet, candidates are able to connect with their teachers or trainers and continue learning. The Way Out The only remedy from this crisis is to follow COVID protocols when venturing outside. With less social interaction, compulsory wearing of masks, and sanitizing the surroundings, the second wave of this pandemic can be managed if not eradicated. And corporates and other organizations can keep the training process in skill development going using digital services. Conclusion The crisis has seen accelerated levels of digitization to avoid or reduce physical interaction. This meant reinventing work amidst partial disruption of operations by bringing changes in the way employees perform. Since the unprecedented challenge calls for the upskilling of the workforce, more focus is needed to improve skills such as digital, cognitive, emotional, resilience, adaptability, and social. Source:https://www.bloglovin.com/@anudipfoundation/how-covid-20-is- likely-to-impact-skill-development Anudip Foundation Email: info@anudip.org Phone No.: +91 033 4062 4187 Visit Us: https://www.anudip.org/ Stay Connected Via: