The skill level and educational attainment of the workforce determines the productivity as well as the ability to adapt to the changing industrial environment. A majority of Indian workforce does not possess marketable skills and this proves to be an impediment in getting decent employment and improving their economic condition. While India has a large young population, only 5% of the Indian labour force in the age group of 20-24 years has obtained vocational skills through formal means whereas the percentage in industrialized countries varies between 60% and 96%. About 63% of the school students drop out at different stages before reaching Class X. Only about 2.5 million vocational training seats are available in the country whereas about 12.8 million persons enter the labour market every year. Again, out of these training places, very few are available for early school dropouts. This signifies that a large number of school drop outs do not have access to skill development for improving their employability. The educational entry requirements and long duration of courses of the formal training system are some of the impediments for a person of low educational attainment to acquire skills for livelihood. Further, the largest share of new jobs in India is likely to come from the unorganized sector that employs up to 93 per cent of the national workforce, but most of the training programmes cater to the needs of the organized sector.

Hon’ble Minister of Finance in his Budget speech 2005-06 announced: To meet the demand for specific skills of a high order, a Public Private Partnership between Government and Industry is proposed to promote skills development programme under the name ‘Skill Development Initiative’…..

Accordingly, Ministry of Labour & Employment undertook development of a new strategic framework for skill development for early school leavers and existing workers, especially in the un-organised sector in close consultation with industry, micro enterprises in the un-organised sector, State Governments, experts and academia which are essential considering their educational, social and economic background.  The main objective of the scheme is to provide employable skills to school leavers, existing workers, ITI graduates, etc. Existing skills of the persons can also be tested and certified under this scheme.  Priority will be given to covering those above the age of 14 years who are or have been withdrawn as child labour to enable them to learn employable skills in order to get gainful employment.
(Source: http://www.dget.nic.in)

Important features of the schemes

• Demand driven short term training courses based on Modular Employable Skills (MES) decided in consultation with Industry. MES is the ‘minimum skills set’ which is sufficient for gainful employment.

• Central Government will facilitate and promote training while industry, private sector and State Governments will train the persons.

• Flexible delivery mechanism (part time, weekends, full time, onsite/ offsite) to suit needs of various target groups.

• Different levels of programmes (foundation level as well as skill up-gradation) to meet demands of various target groups.

• Courses would also be available for persons who have completed 5th standard.

• Testing of skills of trainees by independent assessing bodies, which would not be involved in training delivery, to ensure that it is done impartially.

• The essence of the scheme is in the certification that will be nationally and internationally recognized.
Target group

• Workers seeking certification of their skills acquired informally

• Workers and ITI graduates seeking skill up-gradation

• Early school drop-outs and unemployed

• Previously child labour and their families

TARA Livelihood Academy (TLA) is registered as Vocational Training Provider (VTP) under Ministry of Labour and Employment to impart skill based training program which leads to NCVT (National Council for Vocational Training) certificate to the participants. TLA is eligible to conduct training program in 6 modules like- Hospitality, Information & Communication Technology (ICT), retail, construction, garment making and food processing & preservation.

From the vocational training centre

TLA is conducting these training programs from TARAgram Pahuj as a VTP main centre with its extension centre at Sarmau, Ambabai & Rampura village. There is also plan to use TCC infrastructure to conduct the training program.

At present there are around 60 candidates enrolled within two months of its implementation for Basics of Computer as well as tailoring courses. Participants are also showing interest in courses like English speaking, retails and life skills to sharpen their abilities to meet the demand of the job market.

Participant’s mobilisation is being done through canopies at prominent locations, meeting with SHG members, community leaders, village secretary and door to door visit. In most of the cases we found word of mouth publicity working really well with one satisfied candidates bringing in two others – and we learnt that quality training is the key word to keep in mind.

It also helps them in other ways like “Vocational Training Centre at their door step”. “Maine to kabhee socha bhee nahi tha ki hamare gaon me koi sanstha is tarah ka course karane ke liye aayegi”, I had never thought that such an institute/organisation will come to our village for such courses, said Rani Mishra, a tailoring candidate from Sarmau centre, who is getting married on June 10. The facilities at their door step had provided them an opportunity to learn a new skill to link them with livelihood. Travelling to Jhansi city for such courses ( which is around 15-20 km from the villages where centres are located ) was really a tough job especially for the girls. “Mai computer seekhana chahti thee lekin Jhansi ja ke seekhana possible nahi tha, isliye maine sochana hee band kar diya tha computer ke bare me”, I wanted to learn computer but travelling to Jhansi for it was not possible so I had stopped thinking about it, said Priyanka, 19 who is completing 10+2 through part time.

Ground level challenges

Implementing such a project at the ground level especially in Bundelkhand, is never easy due to the mind set and orientation of the people. Working/counselling of boys is more difficult compared to girls. It requires a lot of efforts and follow-up to motivate them enough to register for the skill development programs, the situation is understandably worse, if they have to pay for such services. They believe in services free of cost. as initially they don’t realise its importance particularly the village population on account of their other priorities – at harvest time the entire population engages itself on the fields to ensure food security.

To quote Smt. Indira Gandhi and make an attempt to carry out her exhortation : Have a bias towards action – let us see something happen now. You can break that big plan into small steps and take the first step right away. q

Madhuvan Pandey
mpandey@devalt.org