Design Thinking: Bridging the Skill Gap in Vocational Training Institutes

The gap between what the industry needs and what the skill training institutes offer has remained despite the efforts of the eco-system created by the Skill India initiative. There is no let up in the efforts and investments with the view to continuously upgrade and realign to the changing environment.

Taking a clue from the NEP 2020, which aims to provide an inclusive, equitable, and quality education system that fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. One approach to achieving the objectives of bridging the skill gap is through the use of design thinking, a human-centered problem-solving methodology that emphasizes empathy, experimentation, and collaboration.

In practice, design thinking, which includes critical thinking and problem-solving, can be useful in a variety of contexts, like curriculum design, project-based learning, and teacher/trainer training. For example, in the context of curriculum design, design thinking can be used to develop courses that are relevant and engaging for students. In project-based learning, design thinking can be used to help students identify real-world problems and develop solutions that address these issues. In teacher training, design thinking can be used to develop professional development programs that are tailored to the needs of teachers.

This could best be applied by redesigning the curriculums. The approach can be particularly useful for long-term courses, where, in the last 6 months of the Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), Polytechnics, Private Training Institutes, and Skill Universities could be devoted to this.

Some ways to integrate the process in these institutes could be to shift traditional teaching-training methods to experiential learning. Hands-on projects, group discussions, and case studies can be used to engage students in the learning process and develop their critical thinking skills. The new method provides opportunities for group work and team-based projects, which can help students develop skills such as communication, leadership, and collaboration. The ability to work collaboratively is essential in today's workforce, where teams are often required to solve complex problems. This method also encourages learners to think outside of the box and come out with innovative solutions. Such a curriculum would provide opportunities for students to experiment, take risks, and learn from failure. By triggering creativity and innovation, students can develop the skills and mindset necessary to tackle the challenges of the future.

Some essential steps to adopt such a method could be: Redefining learning outcomes; Re-design the curriculum; Integrating design thinking methodology; Encouraging collaboration and Innovation; Triggering creativity and innovation; Re-designing assessments to include feedback to trainees and trainers.

An approach like this has the potential to equip trainees with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in a rapidly changing world of work.