Skill development

SKILL DEVELOPMENT

Introduction

  • India is passing through the phase of demographic transition which could be the biggest opportunity or the biggest concern of the country depending upon the utilization of its huge work force. India adds 12 million people to its workforce annually, but very few have any formal skill training. Today, less than four per cent of the Indian workforce is skilled, in contrast to the 42 per cent in US, 76 per cent in Germany, 80 per cent in Japan and 96 per cent in South Korea. Our workforce readiness is one of the lowest in the world and a large chunk of existing training Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE is irrelevant to Industry needs. Without proper skills this huge youth Population would be a demographic liability instead of demographic dividend, However, this could change if we reach out to more people with quality Learning opportunities, revamp our existing infrastructure and execute plans more efficiently by making better use of monetary and resource support available.

    Skills and knowledge are the driving forces of economic Growth and social development for any country. Countries with higher and better levels of skills adjust more effectively to the challenges and opportunities of world of work. India is facing several skill development issues which are hampering its’ progress & economic growth

 

Objectives of ‘Skill India

The main goal is to create opportunities, space and scope for the development of the talents of the Indian youth and to develop more of those sectors which have already been put under skill development for the last so many years and also to identify new sectors for skill development. The new programme aims at providing training and skill development to 500 million youth of our country by 2020, covering each and every village. Various schemes are also proposed to achieve this objective.

 

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Based on formal skilling data for working age population from NSSO (68th Round)2011-12, it is estimated that only 4.69% of the total workforce in India has undergone formal skill training as compared to 68% in UK, 75% in Germany, 52% in USA, 80% in Japan and 96% in South Korea.
  • India presently faces a dual challenge of paucity of highly trained workforce, as well as nonemployability of large sections of the conventionally educated youth, who possess little or no job skills.
  • According to 68th round survey of the NSSO (2011-12), about 68% of graduates, 52% of post-graduate degree holders and 51% of graduate or post-graduate diploma holders were unemployed.
  • According to a 2017 World Bank report ‘Skilling India’, more than 12 million youth in the age group 15 and 29 are expected to enter India’s workforce every year in the next two decades.
  • A 2018 World Economic Forum report ranked India at 103 (out of 130 countries) in terms of prepared of talent.
  • By 2026, 64% of the population is expected to be in the age bracket of 15 to 59 years; and 13% above the age of 60.
  • As per the Economic Survey of India 2017 report released by the OECD, over 30% of youth aged 15-29 years in India are NEETs (not in Education, EMPLOYMENT or training).
  • According to the Centre for Monitoring Indian economy (CMIE) data (figure below), number of the unemployed youth that is seeking jobs has fallen – leading to the phenomenon of voluntary Unemployment (see image ‘Dwindling numbers’).

 

GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES AND INFRASTRUCTURE FOR SKILL DEVELOPMENT

  • National Policy for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (NPSDE) 2015: o It sets the target at skilling 300 million people by 2022.
  • Special focus on skill development and entrepreneurship programmes for Women and Equity.
  • Institutions such as the Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and the Industr National Skill Development Agency (NSDA) (it is set up as a Society), National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) (it is a Public Private PARTNERSHIP Company – Section 25 under Companies Act 1956) and the Directorate General of Training (DGT) under the Skill India mission:
  • NSDC and Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) exist in partnership with the industry o NSDC has the mandate of designing standards for skill development o NOSs and QPs are laid down by the SSC with the participation of the industry
  • Skill Development Missions, set up by all states
  • Adoption of National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF)
  • Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY): aims to skill 2.4 million people in diverse trades within a year
  • Other schemes: SANKALP, UDAAN, STAR (Standard Training Assessment and Reward).

Issues in implementation of Skill India Mission:

  • The targets allocated to them were very high and without regard to any sectoral requirement. Everybody was chasing numbers without providing employment to the youth or meeting sectoral industry needs.
  • No evaluation was conducted of PMKVY 2015 (the first version of the scheme) to find out the outcomes of the scheme and whether it was serving the twin purpose of providing employment to youth and meeting the skill needs of the industry before launching such an ambitious scheme.
  • The focus of PMKVY has been largely on the short-term skill courses, resulting in low placements. There has been an over emphasis on this scheme and hence it is seen as the answer to all skill-related issues.
  • The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) have pointed out flaws in the design and operations of the NSDC and National Skill Development Fund which has resulted in falling short of skill development goals. Majority of them also could not achieve the placement targets for the trained persons.
  • The Sharada Prasad Committee, held the NSDC responsible for poor implementation of the Standard Training Assessment and Reward (STAR) programme. It highlighted that only 8.5 per cent of the persons trained were able to get employment. That is what has been claimed by NSDC.
  • The government report has found fault with the STAR scheme on several counts. STAR offered school dropouts financial incentives to acquire new skills, but the report said that “of those who got their results, only 24% have received certificates and less than 18% have received monetary rewards. This is despite the fact that 80% candidates reported having bank accounts, and 91.3% stated they had Aadhaar numbers”.
  • The Report also CITES “serious conflict of interests” in the functioning of the National Skill Development Corporation.
  • NSDC has not been able to discharge its responsibilities for setting up sector skill councils (SSCs) owing to lots of instances of serious conflict of interest and unethical practices.
  • As per its original mandate, the NSDC should be mobilizing Resources for skill development from the industry, financial institutions, multilateral and bilateral external aid agencies, Private Equity providers and ministries and departments of the central government and states. But the committee said found that the NSDC did not follow any standard criteria for creation of SSCs which not only increased their number but created overlapping jurisdictions.
  • Another concern that arose was that the targets allocated to them were very high and without regard to any sectoral requirement. Everybody was chasing numbers without providing employment to the youth or meeting sectoral industry needs.
  • There have been apprehensions on how many of the 11.7 million trained in the past two years are really in jobs.

 

WAY FORWARD

  • NITI Aayog’s programme ‘Sustainable Action for Transforming Human Capital’ (SATH) is the much need intervention to harvest the demographic dividend
  • Establishment of National Skills University will help in addressing the false perception of society with Vocational Education and setting up higher standards of skill
  • Partnership with the industry experts is needed for creation of a pool of trainers and instructors
  • Technology should be exploited to expand the reach of skilling programmes and institutes
  • Mechanism to harness the Non-resident Indian (NRI) talent pool for mentorship, skill development and expertise (as recommended by Tarun Khanna-headed Expert Committee on Innovation & Entrepreneurship) are being worked upon e.g. VAJRA

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In today’s competitive job market, it is more important than ever to have strong skills. Whether you are looking for a new job or trying to advance in your current career, developing your skills is essential to your success.

There are many different types of skills that can be beneficial in the workplace. Some of the most important skills include Communication, critical thinking, creativity, data analysis, problem-solving, digital Literacy, Leadership, teamwork, management, organization, professionalism, ethics, research, information literacy, technical skills, time management, and productivity.

Communication skills are essential for any job. You need to be able to communicate effectively with your colleagues, clients, and customers. This includes being able to listen attentively, speak clearly and concisely, and write effectively.

Critical thinking skills are also essential for success in the workplace. You need to be able to think critically about problems and come up with solutions. This includes being able to analyze information, identify patterns, and make logical deductions.

Creativity and innovation skills are important for jobs that require you to come up with new ideas. This includes being able to think outside the box, generate new ideas, and solve problems in new and innovative ways.

Data analysis and problem-solving skills are important for jobs that require you to work with data. This includes being able to collect, organize, and analyze data, and then use that data to solve problems.

Digital literacy skills are important for jobs that require you to use computers and other digital technologies. This includes being able to use email, word processing, spreadsheets, and other Software programs.

Leadership and teamwork skills are important for jobs that require you to work with others. This includes being able to motivate and inspire others, delegate tasks, and resolve conflicts.

Management and organizational skills are important for jobs that require you to manage and organize resources. This includes being able to set goals, develop plans, and track progress.

Professionalism and ethics skills are important for all jobs. This includes being able to dress and act appropriately, be honest and trustworthy, and respect others.

Research and information literacy skills are important for jobs that require you to find and use information. This includes being able to identify reliable sources of information, evaluate information, and cite sources correctly.

Technical skills are important for jobs that require you to use specific technologies. This includes being able to use software programs, hardware, and other equipment.

Time management and productivity skills are important for all jobs. This includes being able to set priorities, manage your time effectively, and avoid distractions.

Workplace skills are important for all jobs. This includes being able to follow instructions, work independently, and work as part of a team.

Developing your skills is an ongoing process. There are many different ways to learn new skills. You can take classes, read books, watch Videos, or practice on your own. The most important thing is to find a method that works for you and to be consistent with your learning.

Investing in your skills is one of the best things you can do for your career. By developing your skills, you can increase your earning potential, improve your job satisfaction, and be more successful in your career.

Here are some additional tips for developing your skills:

  • Set goals. What skills do you want to develop? Once you know what you want to achieve, you can create a plan to make it happen.
  • Find a mentor. A mentor can provide guidance and support as you develop your skills.
  • Network with other professionals. Networking is a great way to learn about new opportunities and meet people who can help you in your career.
  • Take advantage of professional development opportunities. Many employers offer Training and Development programs to help their employees improve their skills.
  • Be willing to learn new things. The world of work is constantly changing, so it’s important to be open to learning new skills.
  • Practice makes perfect. The more you practice, the better you will become at using your skills.
  • Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes, but it’s important to learn from them and move on.
  • Celebrate your successes. It’s important to celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small they may seem.

Developing your skills is a lifelong journey. By investing in your skills, you can set yourself up for success in your career.

Topic: Communication

  • What are the four types of communication?

The four types of communication are verbal, nonverbal, written, and listening.

  • What are the five stages of communication?

The five stages of communication are encoding, transmission, decoding, feedback, and noise.

  • What are the three types of listening?

The three types of listening are active listening, passive listening, and critical listening.

  • What are the seven Cs of communication?

The seven Cs of communication are clarity, conciseness, concreteness, credibility, courtesy, completeness, and correctness.

  • What are the three types of feedback?

The three types of feedback are positive feedback, negative feedback, and neutral feedback.

  • What are the four communication styles?

The four communication styles are assertive, aggressive, passive, and passive-aggressive.

  • What are the five communication barriers?

The five communication barriers are physical barriers, psychological barriers, semantic barriers, cultural barriers, and gender barriers.

  • What are the seven steps to effective communication?

The seven steps to effective communication are planning, organizing, writing, editing, proofreading, delivering, and evaluating.

Topic: Problem solving

  • What is problem solving?

Problem solving is the process of identifying and resolving a problem.

  • What are the steps in the problem-solving process?

The steps in the problem-solving process are:

  1. Define the problem.
  2. Identify possible solutions.
  3. Evaluate the solutions.
  4. Select the best solution.
  5. Implement the solution.
  6. Evaluate the results.

  7. What are the different types of problems?

There are two main types of problems: well-defined problems and ill-defined problems.

Well-defined problems have a clear goal, a set of known constraints, and a set of known possible solutions. Ill-defined problems do not have a clear goal, a set of known constraints, or a set of known possible solutions.

  • What are the different problem-solving techniques?

There are many different problem-solving techniques, including brainstorming, lateral thinking, and the six thinking hats.

Brainstorming is a technique for generating ideas. Lateral thinking is a technique for thinking outside the box. The six thinking hats is a technique for considering a problem from different perspectives.

  • What are the common mistakes people make when solving problems?

Some common mistakes people make when solving problems include:

  • Jumping to conclusions.
  • Not considering all possible solutions.
  • Not evaluating the solutions.
  • Not implementing the solution.
  • Not evaluating the results.

Topic: DECISION MAKING

  • What is decision making?

Decision making is the process of choosing between two or more alternatives.

  • What are the steps in the decision-making process?

The steps in the decision-making process are:

  1. Define the problem.
  2. Identify the alternatives.
  3. Evaluate the alternatives.
  4. Select the best alternative.
  5. Implement the decision.
  6. Evaluate the results.

  7. What are the different types of decisions?

There are two main types of decisions: programmed decisions and non-programmed decisions.

Programmed decisions are decisions that are made frequently and have a clear set of rules or procedures. Non-programmed decisions are decisions that are made infrequently and do not have a clear set of rules or procedures.

  • What are the different decision-making models?

There are many different decision-making models, including the rational model, the bounded rationality model, and the intuitive model.

The rational model is a model of decision making that assumes that decision makers have all the information they need and are able to make a rational choice. The bounded rationality model is a model of decision making that assumes that decision makers have limited information and are not able to make a rational choice. The intuitive model is a model of decision making that assumes that decision makers make decisions based on their gut feelings.

  • What are the common mistakes people make when making decisions?

Some common mistakes people make when making decisions include:

  • Not defining the problem clearly.
  • Not identifying all the alternatives.
  • Not evaluating all the alternatives.
  • Not selecting the best alternative.
  • Not implementing the decision.
  • Not evaluating the results.

Topic: Time management

  • What is time management?

Time management is the process of organizing and planning one’s time in order to achieve one’s goals.

  • **What are the steps

Sure. Here are some multiple choice questions on the following topics:

  • Communication:

  • Which of the following is not an effective communication technique?
    (A) Active listening
    (B) Eye contact
    (C) Interrupting the speaker
    (D) Summarizing what the speaker has said

  • Which of the following is a barrier to effective communication?
    (A) Body language
    (B) Jargon
    (C) Lack of preparation
    (D) All of the above

  • Problem solving:

  • Which of the following is not a step in the problem-solving process?
    (A) Define the problem
    (B) Generate solutions
    (C) Implement the solution
    (D) Evaluate the solution

  • Which of the following is a common problem-solving bias?
    (A) Anchoring bias
    (B) Availability bias
    (C) Confirmation bias
    (D) All of the above

  • Decision making:

  • Which of the following is not a factor to consider when making a decision?
    (A) The cost of the decision
    (B) The benefits of the decision
    (C) The risk of the decision
    (D) The time it will take to make the decision

  • Which of the following is a decision-making model?
    (A) The rational decision-making model
    (B) The bounded rationality model
    (C) The intuitive decision-making model
    (D) All of the above

  • Critical thinking:

  • Which of the following is not a critical thinking skill?
    (A) Identifying the main point of an argument
    (B) Evaluating the evidence for an argument
    (C) Analyzing the structure of an argument
    (D) All of the above

  • Which of the following is a common logical fallacy?
    (A) Ad hominem fallacy
    (B) Straw man fallacy
    (C) False dilemma fallacy
    (D) All of the above

  • Creativity:

  • Which of the following is not a creativity technique?
    (A) Brainstorming
    (B) Mind mapping
    (C) Lateral thinking
    (D) All of the above

  • Which of the following is a common creativity barrier?
    (A) Fear of failure
    (B) Perfectionism
    (C) The need for approval
    (D) All of the above

I hope these questions are helpful!