A University Degree vs. Vocational Training: Which one to choose?

In recent decades higher education has almost become the fashion as well as status symbol in society.

As per 2011-12 survey reports on Higher Education reports of Department Higher Education, Ministry of Human Reports Development, Government of India there few important things to note:

1. Total enrolment in higher education has been estimated to be 28.56 million with 15.87 million boys and 12.69 million girls. Girls constitute 44.4% of the total enrolment.   
2. There are 83 Technical, 33 Agriculture, 24 Medical, 17 law and 10 Veterinary Universities
3. College density, i.e. the number of colleges per lakh eligible population (population in the age‐group 18‐23 years) varies from 6 in Bihar to 64 in Puducherry as compared to All India average of 25
4. Maximum numbers of Students are enrolled in B.A. programme followed by B.Com and B.Sc. programmes. Only 20 Programmes out of approximately 150 cover 83% of the total students enrolled in higher education
5. At Undergraduate, level the highest number (34%) of students is enrolled in Arts followed by Engineering & Technology (19%), Commerce (14.5%) and Science (12%).
6. Pupil Teacher Ratio (PTR) in Universities and Colleges is 25.6

When we read the points carefully and try to analyse the details, we find that there is huge gap in education system, We have 34% of undergraduates in Arts stream which is out of date today. BA pass is having no value in today's job interview. Now interviewer gives the advantage to candidate having professional degrees like BBA, BCA, BTech, BSc, B Pharma, BLib etc. along with some technical knowledge and experience in the domain.

Vocational Training

Here comes the confusion to a BA Pass Candidate. Should he invest on his skills though vocational courses or continue with his BA Pass Certificate and struggle further? Those who identify and recognize earlier the future of their career via vocational courses get swift move on the heights of their career. While a normal graduate keep struggling for government jobs or little paying private jobs. 

The current scenario is like a boom to the vocational courses. These courses offer better jobs with good paymasters of the industry. For example an electrician who has passed out the knowledge based technical vocational course of electrician and possess a industry recognised certificate (Like from NSDC) will be given preference than a traditional electrician. 

As per the choice of career, it is better to decide from University Degree and Vocational Training after matriculation. With guidance and counselling of an expert this could be done easily. This will be immense helpful to youth in making right decision for their career and future of life as well.

Kudumbashree - Kerala (State Poverty Eradication Mission)

In the State of Kerala, Kudumbashree has been panacea in eradication of poverty among the peoples of State. Since its inception in 1998 as a State Mission, it has played vital role in making people aware about better livelihoods, enterprise development, skill development and employments.

In all 14 districts of Kerala, there are District Mission Coordinators who is instrumental in achieving the goals of mission. Being the most educated State of country, It has over 90 percent literate peoples. However there is huge gap in traditional education and current demand of job industry. 

In order to minimize the skill gap, Kudumbashree has sensitized the youths of urban and rural areas with awareness of placement linked skill development programs like DDU-GKY, PMKVY, SDI and others. They have already engaged many public and private sector training agency in public private partnership (PPP) mode.

As on 30 June 2016 Kudumbashree has trained 6948 Candidates and Placed 3308 Candidates under DDU-GKY program which is sponsored by Ministry of Rural Development as per the link provided below. 

http://kudumbashree.org/sites/all/themes/kudumbashree/uploads/downloads/136310061_Kudumbashree%20DDUGKY%20AchievementStatus.pdf

The biggest challange for Kerala and Kudumbashree both is to handle educated employment. The dynamics of supply and demand in educated manpower in labor market is now growth oriented. Skill Development programs have been immense helpful in proving employment and opportunities to them. 

Employers and industrialist have now shown their interest towards the skilled and educated manpower which is easy available here in the State. Any champion employer would definitely like to take advantage of this. State Mission  "Kudumbashree" is the nodal agency of contact for any such initiative and could be contacted for same.

The office of State Mission "Kudumbashree" could be contacted on below mention details:

Address: State Poverty Eradication Mission

2nd Floor, TRIDA Rehabilitation Building

Chalakuzhy Road, Medical College 

PO.Thiruvananthapuram -695011

Kerala, India

Email Id: info@kudumbashree.org 

Ph: 91-471-2554714

      91-471-2554715

      91-471-2554716

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL is known by many names in different countries. It is APL (Accreditation of Prior Learning), CCC (Crediting Current Competence), or APEL (Accrediting Prior Experiential Learning) in the UK, RPL in Australia and New Zealand, and PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition) in Canada (although different jurisdictions within Canada use RPL and RCC (Recognition of Current Competence). France has a more sophisticated system in which assessment is known as 'Bilan de competences', 'Bilan des competences approfondi', or 'Validation de Acquis des Experiences (VAE)'. Regardless of the title, all are the same and all are RPL...As per Wikipedia

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a platform to provide recognition to the informal learning or learning through work to get equal acceptance as the formal levels of education. It aims to appreciate prior learning irrespective of the medium of achieving it. In short, RPL is a process of assessment of an individual’s prior learning to give due importance to learning as an outcome rather than learning as process

To ensure that the candidates being assessed under RPL are also oriented to the standardized NSQF levels, QP-NOSs that would be followed under RPL will be same as the one followed under fresh training. Further, to ensure the acceptance of RPL in Indian market, various pilots have been conducted by different sector skill councils and NSDA and the learnings are incorporated while preparing the guidelines for RPL in the PMKVY

Under PMKVY, special focus is given to RPL by recognizing prior competencies of the assessed candidates and provides a certificate and monetary reward on successful completion of assessments. Average monetary reward under RPL would be around Rs.2,200 per candidate. Following allocation has been done under RPL in the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY

RPL will help in aligning the competencies of the un-recognized workers of the country with the standardized NSQF framework and provide the much needed recognition, enhancing the career/employability opportunities available to them

A target of 5.00 lakhs (It was decided that 5.00 lakh numbers should be allocated to 31 SSCs. Though the steering committee has approved 3.58 lakh numbers to be allocated to SSCs it was decided on 12th September that 5.00lakh numbers should be allocated in this phase to the SSCs) for Quarter 2 to be allocated across approved sector skill councils and Job roles

The Training Partner (TP) or any other authority as prescribed by the Steering Committee will identify and counsel candidates eligible for RPL through mobilization camps & advertisements etc. The mobilized candidates can be counselled, oriented about the standardized NSQF framework and basis their existing competency will be mapped against the suitable level of the concerned Job role for assessments

The candidates enrolled will be assessed by the Assessment Agency affiliated with the Sector Skill Council on the basis of assessment criteria decided by Sector Skill Council (SSC). The candidate will need to pass in the minimum assessment criteria of a particular QP decided by the SSC

क्या आप के पास कोई स्पेशल Skill है ?

हमने कई जगह पढ़ा और कई लोगो से सुना है की हर व्यक्ति के पास कोई न कोई ख़ास स्किल या हुनर या क्वालिटी होता है।  कुछ लोग उसे पहचान कर जिंदगी में सफल हो जाते है और कुछ लोग अपने इस खास स्किल से ताउम्र अनजान रह जाते है।

क्या आप के पास कोई स्पेशल स्किल है ? क्या आप उसका सही उपयोग कर पा रहे है ? अगर आप को इन दोनों प्रश्नों के सही उत्तर मिल जाये तो आप सफलता की ओर अग्रसर है।  अब आप चाहेंगे की आपके इस ख़ास स्किल का लाभ अन्य लोगो को भी मिले जिससे समाज का विकास हो सके और आप अपनी पहचान  कायम कर सके।

भारत सरकार एवं सभी राज्य सरकारों द्वारा स्किल डेवलपमेंट योजनाओ में अगर आप अपने इस स्किल का योगदान देना चाहते है तो आप एक ट्रेनर / प्रशिक्षक /कॉउंसलर बन कर ये काम कर सकते है।  आप किसी भी  सरकारी अथवा निजी प्राक्षिण प्रदाता द्वारा चलाये जा रहे कौशल विकास योजना से जुड़े और उसमे जिन कार्यों को आप सम्पादित कर सकते है,  वहाँ से शुरुआत करे। आप योजना के विभिन्न चरण में अपने इस स्किल का बेहतर प्रदर्शन कर सकते है, जैसे:

• मोबिलाइजेशन, 
• काउंसलिंग,
•  स्क्रीनिंग,   
• ट्रेनिंग या प्रशिक्षण 
• असेसमेंट  
• प्लेसमेंट या नियोजन 
• ट्रैकिंग 

इस सबके आलावा आप वालंटियर बन कर अपना योगदान कर सकते है । सबसे ज्यादा जिस की जरुरत है वह कार्य है युवक युवतियों को सही पथ प्रदर्शित कर उनके भविष्य को उज्जवल बनाना। आप जितने अधिक से अधिक युवाओ को उनके कौशल्य वर्धन में सहयोग प्रदान करेंगे, हमारा समाज उतना ही शक्षम होगा।  बेरोजगारी कम होगी और लोग हुनरमंद बनेगे। हमारे राज्य और देश का आर्थिक और सामाजिक विकास होगा।

सबका साथ सबका विकास - आइये हम सब मिलकर प्रयास करे 

क्या आप कौशल विकास कार्यक्रम से जुड़ना चाहते है ?

भारत सरकार एवम सभी राज्य के राज्य सरकारों द्वारा तमाम कौशल विकास कार्यक्रम संचालित हो रहे हैं।  आपके आस पास भी यह कार्यक्रम संचालित किया गया होगा अथवा किया जाने वाला होगा।

यदि आप 18 से 35 वर्ष के युवक या युवती है तो अपने नजदीकी कौशल्य वर्धन केंद्र पर जाकर तालीम ग्रहण कर सकते हैं।  तालीम के उपरांत सरकार द्वारा मान्यताप्राप्त प्रमाणपत्र देय है।  उसके पश्चात आप रोजगार से जुड़ सकते है और अपने जीविकोपार्जन के लिए सुनहरा भविष्य तय कर सकते है।

यदि आप प्रशिक्षण केंद्र संचालित करना चाहते है तो अपने जिले अथवा राज्य के रोजगार अधिकारी से मिले और सभी प्रशिक्षण प्रदाता एवं उनके द्वारा चलाये जा रहे कोर्स का विवरण ले।

 अपने संस्था का पंजीकरण कराएं 

• आप अपने संस्था का SDI पोर्टल पर जाकर VTP रजिस्ट्रेशन करा सकते है। 
• इसके अतिरिक्त आप NSDC से सम्बद्ध ट्रेनिंग पार्टनर के फ्रेंचाइजी बन कर काम कर सकते है।  
• PMKVY -2 योजना के तहत PMKVY पोर्टल पर जाकर अपने संस्था को पंजीकृत कर सकते है। 
• अपने जिले या विकासखंड द्वारा संचालित कौशल प्रशिक्षण कार्यक्रम में सहयोग प्रदान करें। 
• DDU - GKY स्कीम के PIA से जुड़ सकते है। 

एक बार जब आप प्राक्षिण शुरू कर देंगे फिर आपका जूनून और लगन आपको कामयाबी के नयी उचाई तक ले जायेगा। हाल ही में सरकार ने कॉमन कॉस्ट नोर्म्स लागू किया है जिसमे प्रति कैंडिडेट अच्छी खासी रकम दी गयी है।  ये स्कीम टू स्कीम vary करता है

यदि आप इससे जुड़ी कोई जानकारी चाहते है तो यहाँ लिख सकते है...
   

नारी शशक्तिकरण या Women Empowerment through Skill Development

नारी शशक्तिकरण शब्द का विस्तृत अर्थ माँ दुर्गा के प्रतिमा पर नज़र डालते ही समझ आ जाता है. माँ अपने भक्तो का पालन और दुष्टों का संहार  करने में पूर्ण रूप से शशक्त है. इस सुबह अवसर पर कौशल उन्नयन अर्थात स्किल डेवलपमेंट में नारी शशक्तिकरण  पर एक नज़र डालते है. 

We feel honored to write that in India, women participation is higher than the men participation in skill development. The active female youths are taking more interest in learning new skills and help their livelihoods touch the new heights every passing day.

Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India launched a special scheme called Roshini under National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM). The participation of women in this program is minimum 50%. The guidelines of scheme is available for kind perusal under below mention link:

http://aajeevika.gov.in/sites/default/files/nrlp_repository/roshni-guidelines-in-english.pdf

Further the same ministry of GOI launched DDU-GKY scheme under which women participation is minimum 33%. The guidelines of scheme is available for kind perusal under below mention link:

http://ddugky.gov.in/sites/default/files/SOP/mail%20ddugky%20guidelines%20with%20cover_0.pdf

Similarly Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has made the minimum participation of 33% compulsory under their PMKVY/NSDC skill development programs.Now the most interesting facts:

1. Almost all female youths either in group or individual retain in training session for the entire period of course provided the course is actually helpful in skill improvement
2. Once they join the job, retention in job is higher due to less opportunity 
3. Their employer is satisfied they are proven more sincere in comparison to their male counterparts
4. For Training Partner, these candidates are like golden candidates, as they get the lucrative incentive of placements, retention etc and their target is easily covered.

These all above mentioned points makes it clear that the investment done in skill development of women is profit maximization of all the stakeholders. It is actually a social development under win win situation. 

Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) of DDU-GKY

Get details of Free Online SOP Certification under DDU-GKY 

As we all are aware that DDU-GKY has setup a benchmark in standardization of skill development projects in India, It is perhaps the India's first skill development project which emphasized on quality of Infrastructure and rigorous monitoring during the implementation of projects.

The "Geeta" of DDU-GKY is SOP. After research of 1 year by the top most professionals in the field of skill development, it was launched in 2013 with the name of Aajeevika which later branded as Deen Dayal Upadhyay Grameen Kaushalya Yojna (DDU-GKY). 

The entire SOP is divided into two Parts:

1. SOP Part 1: http://ddugky.gov.in/sites/default/files/SOP/SOP_Part_1.pdf
2. SOP Part 2: http://ddugky.gov.in/sites/default/files/SOP/SOP_Part_2.pdf

You can go through the SOP part 1 & 2 on the above placed links and find the beautifully drafted standard operating procedures. There are 6 Chapters in SOP Part 1 & 3 Chapters in SOP Par 2. These are the latest version of  SOP however lot many modification keep on updating the procedures/formats. For this you need to visit the website of DDU-GKY regularly.

National Institute of Rural Development & PR conduct the online certification test of SOP. Once you have qualified the test, Certification is mandatory for functionaries involved in project implementation under DDU-GKY. Different courses have been prescribed for different functionaries.you will be awarded SOP certificate which is valid of the period of 1 year. 

You can find the details of free online certification on below mentioned URL:

http://ddugkysop.in/mod/page/view.php?id=19

Once you are SOP certified, your potential as a stakeholder in DDU-GKY Skilling echosystem rises tremendously. 

Challenges in skill development projects for a Training Partner in India

Nowadays skill development is a big buzz. There are more than 10,000 Training Partners involved under various schemes across the country spread in all territories of India. However there are challenges which almost all the Training Providers face.

Industry experts say public perception on skilling and vocational training is still low.  “Skilling is perceived as the last resort meant for those who have not been able to progress in the formal academic system. This mental block has only increased the gap between what the industry requires and what is currently available,” said the project head of an education management firm involved in skill training.

We have listed here some major challenges as per the feedback provided by Training Partners already implementing skill development projects more than a decade.

1. Mobilization

Challenges- The first challenge is the mobilization of the right candidate. As there is target of training specified to be achieved within stipulated time, the Training Providers is inclined towards count completion. They go as per the minimum eligibility to full-fill the norms specified rather than taking the right candidate who actually need the training and further opportunity to explore his skills.

Solutions- The Gram Panchayat Saturation model adopted by Ministry of Rural Develop is helpful to some extent for the purpose of better mobilization. As one youth of the Gram Panchayat get training and placement and start earning a handsome salary, other get inspired from him or her. Awareness about the program is already there since many of the candidates belong from same community

Similar way there are other measures also which could help in mobilization of needy candidates.

2. Training

Challenges- The duration of training is normally 6-8 hours in a day. The candidates feel it boring to be in training for more than 3-4 hours in a day. Now the challenge is to keep them engaged. Further the availability of quality trainers is lesser in remote areas.  The right environment of Training is not developed which in return makes it a wastage of government funds.

Solutions-It is easy to engage youth in technical devices like tablets, mobiles, laptop or desktop with facility of internet. When there is excitement to learn the skill, it becomes easy to retain them in classroom or domain lab. There online learning portals which can be self learned so instead of lecture classes if focus is shifted towards developing the right set of skills within candidates then it shall result better delivery of training.

3. Certification

Challenges- All assessment is to test the proficiency of trained candidates. The language of training and assessment is not same all the time which is a constraint to qualify the assessment for a candidate's. Sometime it becomes difficult for school or college dropouts to learn the lesson. Thus many of these youth decide to leave the training in between.

Solutions-There are tools of assessment which evaluate the various aspects of personality. The assessment process should be designed to test the learning of skills only. It could be in verbal or non verbal or any other form in which the trainees are comfortable.

4. Placement & Retention

Challenge- Almost all the programs of skill development is linked with placement or employment. Here comes the most crucial phase. The candidates complete their training in greed of certificate and other monitory benefits but they due to homesickness and other factors they don't join their jobs.

Post Placement the retention is the only factor which decides the success rate of a project. Around 20-25% of appointed candidates retain their job on an average. There are factors like lack of coordination & motivation from training provider, Support from Parents, work culture at the job place and friend circle at the new place. Further being stranger to the place candidate has to face many challenge.

Solutions-Parent meeting is one the solution before we start placement drives. It shall be helpful to boost the moral of trainees when they are away from home. A coordinator who takes care for the first month at least when they are placed first time is of too much help. The motivation comes from peer group, friends so alumini network also plays a vital role.

These were only few of the challenges in skill development project going on in India at present. The extended support from Government and Local Authorities as well as easy availability of things at the new job location can maximize the retention of candidates in job which is the ultimate goal of these projects.