SHALINI SAKSENA speaks with Dr Priti Adani who says to that there is need to create a platform where aspirants may get  on-the-job training

How necessary is it to go for a skilled programme today?

The education system today is a defined process which does not include much of practical sessions. By the time youth understand the importance of skills and practical knowledge, the schooling is over and he or she gets entry in the college, and by this time they must have chosen the stream where they all will graduate. Un-employability is a bigger problem than unemployment.  90 per cent of what we learn during our academics’ learning is knowledge, where as 90 per cent of jobs today require skills.  58 per cent of India's youth face lack of skill issues.

The space required for the skills is not very large. Youth can join any skill course to get exposure in any practical skill and identify the hidden talent.

There are several programmes to train the youth. Yet there is a gap. Why?

This is a domain where youth seek — Modular Short-Term Skill Training — to get the job and there are defined courses for the same. The programmes offered under various Government schemes are with defined courses and the training centre needs to customise the same to the extent that the industry can absorb the talent. Training centres look for financial support in whatever way possible to sustain and customisation becomes very difficult as most of them are for-profit at the same time, guest lectures from industry experts, course customisation and time extension to Industry needs/requires time and that is something misses many-a-times in short term courses which are implemented focusing duration in mind. Industries also have limited interest in conducting skill programmes.

What more can be done to improve the present skilling programmes?

Provide some flexibility to training partners as far as customisation of course content and timeline is concerned. Need to create a common platform where list of interested industries can be connected course-wise so that skill aspirants may get on-the-job training.

What are some of the specialised courses offered by ASDC?

Welding training through virtual simulator, Crane Operator training through virtual simulator and 3D printing Apart from these niche programmes, our courses that generate interest and employment both to the youth are: Sewing Machine Operation, Beauty Therapist, General Duty Assistant, Digital Literacy

What is the reason why out of 12 million only 3.1 million are skilled or trained?

Again, speaking about training is different while opening skill centres at remotest places to attract youth undergo skill training is different. In India, though, multiple skill centres are there across the nation, there is a huge requirement in opening multi skilling centres with keeping industry needs in mind.

What kind of effort do key stakeholders need to put in?

They should keep looking for updates and requirements of industries and upgradetraining centres accordingly. Guide team on being innovative and implement innovations, counsel youth in choosing the careers. Employers need to play an active role in deciding how aspirants are trained for jobs.

Elaborate how you are helping bridge the skill gaps through ASDC?

Central and State Governments are putting efforts to skill the youth. But there is more to be done, big employers are taking many steps to upgrade and re-skill their employees, recognition of prior learning is one such method. The Ministry of Skills Development and Entrepreneurship and National Skill Development Corporation through their Skill India programme is trying to extensively train youth as per industry requirement. We are also trying and have partnered with NSDC to deliver training programmes at all our skill development centres.