The future of India is Vocational!

India would require over 500 million skilled people by 2022. Building such a large base of skilled manpower is a distant dream for the country. But, the policymakers and those working at the grass root levels are trying their best.

Auto and auto components, building and construction materials, real estate services, electronics and IT hardware, food processing, gems & jewellery, organised retail, and tourism & hospitality are amongst the sectors that are already feeling starved of skilled manpower; and their demand for skilled youth would only rise in the coming years.

To bridge the huge gap between demand and supply of skilled manpower, several reputed vocational skills training companies have started reaching out to government, their agencies, and NGOs to skill India so that it doesn’t lag behind in the global race for economic development and sustainability. 

Centum Learning is a fine example of the training companies that are truly dedicated for promoting vocational training in India; these companies also ensure that the participants, once they are finished with their vocational training programme, are duly placed with leading organisations across sectors.

Vocational training programme providers keep introducing more and more innovative skill building programs – such as Certificate Course in Mobile Repairing, Certificate Course in Spoken English, Livelihood Training Course, etc., - to enhance the employability quotient of the urban as well as rural youth of the country. And this skilled manpower would ensure that India’s economic engine does not stop, even for a minute.

Vocational Space – its challenges and solutions

Vocational skills training providers may consider working backwards, taking cues from the industry, and accordingly develop a pool of skilled talent that can be readily absorbed by the industry players. The industry also needs to work on its existing frame of mind towards skilled workforce; for example, it can contribute by differential pay and reward the skilled workforce; this single step will create a world of difference in the field of vocational education & training.

The good thing is that India is finally waking up to the need for skilled workforce; tremendous focus is now being shifted towards generating awareness about the skills development and vocational training field, and making the field attractive and aspirational for the young so that they look at it as a preferred option. The need of the hour, therefore, is to make vocational training mainstream.

Some companies, like Centum Learning, are doing a phenomenal job in this field; their vocational training programme assist participants find job opportunities in sectors like Auto and Auto Components, Building and Construction Materials, Building and Construction, Real Estate Services, Electronics and IT Hardware, Education and Skill Development Services, Food Processing, Gems and Jewellery, Healthcare, Textiles, Leather and Leather Goods, Organised Retail, and Tourism and Hospitality.

Only if we can provide vocational education to more and more people, India – as a country – can take on the world in the next one or two decades. But for that we really need to fasten our efforts.