Over
the last 70 years of India’s independence, the definition of freedom has constantly
evolved for our country. From making ourselves free from the “British Raj” to a
more economic liberated India, we have continuously made a headway in the
journey of progress and growth. The country has worked in the areas of
privatisation, self-sustainability and globalisation throughout these years. And
in the last two years of governance, India’s role on an international level has
dramatically transformed into a global economic power vying for a seat at its
highest table.
This
accelerated economic growth has increased the demand for skilled workers that
has highlighted the shortage of skilled workforce in the country. With a
challenge of this scale, also what comes to us now, is the opportunity to
create a new free India where acquiring professional skills will give you the
liberty and freedom to choose a life and respect that one has always aspired
for.
The
time has come where India has to now fight and bring about the silent
revolution through its focus on skill development. While the demographic effect
will increase or lower gross domestic product (GDP) by barely one percentage
point in 2035, GDP levels can increase by about 3 percentage points in 2035 if
India improves significantly on skill training. Skill development is
fundamental for improving productivity. And productivity leads to improved
living standards and growth. When we talk about improving living standards it
reflects on maximizing opportunities for pro-poor employment growth, enabling
environment for sustainable enterprise development, an open social dialogue
where there is respect for all and planned investments in basic education,
health and physical infrastructure.
Vocational
education and training (VET) initiatives, both in the public and private space,
have become more focused and outcome-driven, aligned to the needs of industry
and linked to jobs and employability. Capacity building and quality standards
have started receiving greater attention. Industry has also been given a bigger
role in shaping the skills story through its involvement not just with
curriculum development and setting of standards but also in the assessment and
certification processes. Moreover, measures have been taken to increase
financial accessibility to skill-training initiatives.
The
current target of skill development program in India in itself is quite an
ambitious number. In 2015-16, we trained 1.04 crore youth in the country which
was 37 per cent more than what was achieved in the previous year. The
comprehensive reforms in the Apprentice Act can be a game changer in itself and
as it can be one most successful skill development scheme. Also the overhaul in
the ITI ecosystem which was not capitalised on till now, will extend
opportunities for all in multiple trades where human resource is required in
the country. But the real analysis or breakup of this number lies in the
exercise where we do a district-level mapping — if you take a district, what
are the kind of skills required? You will find there are so many jobs we are
yet to include in our skill program. Similarly, take a newer areas such as
water energy, waste management etc. As the economy grow, you will see new kinds
of jobs evolving. So there is enough demand and there are means to meet the
demand – the only thing we need is to ensure the supply is aligned to the
demand. The problem is not as simple as it seems – it has its own complexities
and dynamics and it is imperative that we make collective effort to address
these incremental human resource requirements right at the local level.
On
the other hand there are variety of reasons for the youth’s inability to fill
jobs that are made available to them, ranging from geographical mobility to low
wages which may not help them meet their ends. Overall, it’s a huge task.
But
we as citizens of a nation which is building a huge brand for itself in the
global market with our initiatives like Make in India and Digital India, we
have to be cognizant of the fact that there is no other way than to skill,
re-skill and up-skill ourselves and keep ourselves abreast with the latest
around the globe. Weather is a skill set that increases productivity of a
farmer with the help of technological means or by following the latest in
mechatronics and robotics and being the hub for innovation in the world.
A
young mind has to not only dream of success but has to work for it. The youth
of our country has to work towards this intellectual freedom and skills can be
his tool to success then. All that we have to think after this is:
I
can
I
will.
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