Skill Vibes: Pause..Reflect..

2005-06 were the early years when people were getting re-energized to the idea of skill development. Several platforms were getting created to bring stakeholders together to exchange views and discuss challenges and possible solutions.  It was one of these meetings where an idea was initiated to engage the senior and mid-management of the training system into taking some number of classes in the Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) to make the training process more efficient. This also had some added advantages where the senior and mid-management could get a first-hand feel of the training institutes and would also keep the staff at the institute more alert. However, the response of one senior representative was alarming, as he stated that he had worked hard to advance in his career and did not want to return to the institute. The mindset and culture within the training system revealed by his statement remain unchanged even now after 18 years.  Nevertheless, there is merit in...

The Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) is a flagship scheme of the Indian Government aimed at providing skill-based training and certification to the youth. Recently, the scheme was in the news when the Finance Minister in the Union Budget speech said “Under PMKVY 4.0, on-job training, industry partnership, and alignment of courses with needs of industry will be emphasised,” The Minister further said. “The scheme will also cover new-age courses for Industry 4.0 like coding, AI, robotics, mechatronics, IOT, 3D printing, drones, and soft skills.” The FM rightfully mentioned strengthening the industry connect and introduction of future skills in PMKVY 4.0, India's latest version of the skills development program. The development and refinement of these niche future technologies is the job of people possessing higher level of education and skills; however, it is the "application" of these skills which falls under the preview of programs like the PMKVY. It is thus pru...

  T he ‘Kaushalacharya Samadar 2020’ was organised  on the 10th September to celebrate & honour 91 trainers & gurus across 5 categories & 21 subcategories who have made an incredible difference in the entire skill ecosystem. A great way to honour the trainers of the skill ecosystem based on their hard work and dedication. Such events do raise the respect and self esteem of the trainers.  However, the point to ponder is whether the impact of such one off events is lasting? Or is there something else that needs to be done simultaneously for a  continuous and longer impact? A detailed analysis is required to find a meaningful solution.  There is no one solution that will motivate the trainers and at the same time make the profession more respectable and desirable. Training of trainers is beyond doubt most critical. There are several examples to prove that largely the trainers are technically no better than the trainees themselves. The MSDE, NSDC and SSC...

T he Skilling Ecosystem continues to struggle to develop desired competencies for their trainers & trainees the lack of  which results in unreasonable failure rates and low placement percentages. The data made public by NSDC recently shows failure rates are more in the manufacturing sector as compared to the service sector job roles. Stakeholder at all levels are making positive contribution, however we still keep missing the goal by a big margin.  What are the possible reasons? There is no one specific reason but a host of them cutting across the "Skills Value Chain". Their combined effect keeps us away from the fundamental goal of enhancing Competencies. To discuss a few: a)  Setting up an ITI / Skill development center without linking it to the local and regional labour market survey, leading to a mismatch of demand and supply in the local area. Many times the focus is on choosing job roles with minimum investment disregarding the actual local requirements.  b...

I am writing this in continuation to my previous articles, viz; Skill Development:  Lessons from Afghanistan (1) and Skill Development:  Lessons from Afghanistan (2) in case you missed them earlier: Read on further…. Another learning from the past. The India Skills centre was approved to be setup on 28 Aug 2005 through a joint statement of the two heads of the States. The entire team was overjoyed imagining what it would be like. The team made several visits to Kabul in quick succession, essentially to establish liaison with the concerned people in the Afghanistan Government, visit the training centres set up by other countries like South Korea, Japan and Iraq, visit several construction sites to understand the live issues and skill needs. These visits gave us good perspective of what must be done and what should be avoided and why. The final go ahead from the Government was received after a detailed process of budgeting and re-budgeting and responding to queries of...

S kill development lessons from Afghanistan…Surprised!!! Yes. Afghanistan. I will take you through a journey in a series of articles covering one of the best skill development projects ever I have been through. Since the purpose is to share the lessons, I will use the names of the organisations and people involved restrictively. It certainly was a show of detailed coordination between the Governments and various organisations and leadership, courage, innovation and never say die attitude of the team members at all levels. As of now I roll back to the year 2005. The then President of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan along with his Cabinet Ministers came to India for a series of meetings in Feb 2005. The meetings besides the Govt of India were also facilitated by the Indian High Commission at Kabul. One of the apex Industry Associations was entrusted the task of making a presentation to the Afghan President and his team of Ministers on skilling the human resource for re-constructi...