Vocational education needs to keep pace with the changing trends and requirements of the industry. Outdated training methods and skills will not help our economy, writes Sachin Adhikari.
The combined forces of globalisation, technological change and liberalisation of markets are creating a more competitive economic environment and changing the very nature of work and work organisation. While these forces are creating new job opportunities, they are also increasing the workers’ vulnerability.
Additionally, being knowledge-driven, the quality of the labour force has become a major determinant in the competitiveness and adaptability of enterprises, workers and the economy. All of this poses a challenge to the vocational education and training (VET) systems to meet the rapidly and continuously changing labour market demands.
India is at a threshold, where skilling is the only way it can utilise its huge youth entering the workforce. Vocational training can help bridge employability gap on one hand, while providing effective employment on the other. However, it is most crucial to remember that such trainings need to keep pace with the changing trends and requirements of the industry.
With respect to this, education and training systems face multiple challenges. Firstly, in order to equip workers who are already employed with new skills and competencies, they need to develop a system of continuous in-service training that can respond flexibly and rapidly to labour market requirements. Secondly, they need to offer youth the sound education and broad initial training that will give them a solid basis for continuing training throughout their working life.
Thirdly, they must ensure access to opportunities to the unemployed, the disadvantaged and those at risk. The world of work is evolving and with it, the role of VET. The far-reaching transformation of the global economy is compelling governments and even the private sector to rethink their development strategy in general, and VET in particular.
With respect to India which is depending on VET for skilling and optimising its huge demographic dividend, technology can be a boon, if properly utilised. Technology can not only help policy makers and training institutions, but also help the young Indians take a more proactive approach in working with government and the private sector. Rapid innovations in technology have fundamentally altered the economy and changed the landscape for mainstream education and skills development. There are now digital and mobile technologies which enable learning in and out of classrooms through mobile apps, websites, e-books, and games.
To make this more effective, first and foremost, old curriculum must be updated with a new and advanced one. The new curriculum must have coherence with industry requirements to ensure that those passing out are absorbed by them. How can technology help? Primarily, by increasing exposure and reach.
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Long-term development impact of mobile technology lies in education and learning for young people in developing countries like ours and also in connecting them to jobs. There is an increasing role for mobile technology in schools, but mobile learning also needs to play its role in reaching those who are outside the scope of traditional schooling, and will benefit immensely from access to various educational programmes. Likewise, mobile technology can also benefit the corporate segment wherein the employees can upgrade their learning through courses on mobile phone.
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Realising the potential of e-learning, several national and international organisations have initiated programmes in India. Undoubtedly, the most popular ones include spoken english courses which help students in rural and semi-urban areas with their verbal skills. Several vocational skilling courses are also being made available via e-learning courses. These have the advantage of inviting trainers from all parts of the country and even abroad to train candidates. Also, candidates can get visual exposure of the industry they may be training for and get insights and advice from experts in the industry. All this, without having to travel from one’s home or city!
E-learning and mobile learning is a positive movement that can open education and training up to young people who currently feel excluded. Several organisations like Viztar International has been prompt in realising these advantages and have designed training modules that will be available to the students on their mobile phones and tablets.
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