“Only the people who take learning, growth and skills development into their own hands will be tomorrow’s leaders.” – Alli Worthington

Whether we are in school, training institutions or firms, skilling takes place at every level of our life. The questions related to skill development training are haunting in countries like India. The term skill development is used synonymously with vocational and technical education and training. It starts at home and its application plays an important role in reducing poverty and achieving sustainable economic growth.

Better Training, Better Growth

When government decisions are influenced by advancements in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), there is ample room for improving skill sets of an individual such that he/she grows faster in a competitive environment. Still, only 2.3 percent of the entire workforce in India has received formal skill training. The public yet perceives skilling as an end resort for those who did not have academic prowess.

Doing Groundwork

This thinking has only widened the gap between requirements of the industry and the availability of resources. Other problems may occur while implementing the policies of government’s Skill India initiative at the ground level. The policies need to be rolled out along with the pace at which youngsters are entering the workforce.

Creating a Common Qualification Framework

The government did a lot between the 2009-2014 period that includes establishing sector skill councils and formulating national skills frameworks of qualification apart from the up-skilling and re-skilling initiatives. The government is to devise a common qualification framework at the national level for preparing a competent workforce holding separate degrees but adapting smoothly to the different industry demands. The framework is to give them accreditation and a sense of affiliation.

In addition, the arising challenges are to be addressed while aligning student’s aspirations with the industry expectations related to job roles and salaries. Another primary challenge is convincing employers to choose a skilled force over a cheaper resource when there is already a shortage of technical skills.

Making it Accessible

The skill development sector faces an issue of accessibility too as trainees need to be identified which requires huge spending. It is a two-way effort as the people you are going to train, need money for paying back to you. So, the rising training costs may compel them to drop out of the mad race. However, the decision to quit may also be influenced by family pressures.

The Rural-Urban Divide

This is more common between the rural and semi-urban youths who prefer to go back to the hometown over taking up a job offer at their place of training. The rural youths will always go to a city for skill development training until a proper infrastructure is available at their native place. Such trainings are generally conducted in the urban cities.

The rural population has yet not got lucky with the basic necessities for a good living standard. Issues related to literacy, health, communications skills, financial training etc. need to be addressed first. The problem actually lies in the lack of awareness which is overpowered by the traditional mind set. With just 10 percent of India receiving skill development training currently, there is a need to shift focus on a learner while weaving all the aspects around him/her.