Skill Letts
VIEWS , VOICE & WAYS OF SKILLS
An in house journal of Additional Skill Acquisition Programme
With emphasis on multiple choice questions , a condition has been created where student can score high marks without learning to express clearly their thoughts verbally or in written language . Since language is the vehicle of thought , this weakening of language learning has in turn weakened the ability of the students to grasp higher ideas . As time progressed , we as a nation upgraded our prospects on almost everything . But we had gone down in the quality of public sector education .
Skill Education , Challenge Ahead
The meaning of “ skill ” is ‘ ability to use one ’ s knowledge effectively and readily in execution or performance ’. Here is the prime importance of the Kerala Government initiated programme ASAP ( Additional Skill Acquisition Programme ). The programme intended to make students future ready . In the changing world scenario with regard to industry and the job market , there is now an over powering need for skill workers . However , the definition of skill in India and the world in general , has also changed over recent years . As president Shri . Pranab Mukherjee said in a recently organized CII event in Kolkata
“ we often boast about India ’ s demographic dividend . But the question arises is what we do with this if we cannot skill them , if we cannot educate them and cannot enhance their employability .”
Employability
National Educational Policy ( NEP-2016 ), gives emphasis for a job oriented education . In NEP 2016 it states that “ the need for the development of human skills , including life skills that meet the demands of the emerging knowledge economy and society highlights the need to promote the acquisition by learners of knowledge and skills on life-long basis to enhance their capacity to adapt the changing skill requirements ( NEP , page 4 ). Only by providing quality skill education and application level education , we will be able to make out good employable citizens . India is one of the youngest nation in the world with more than 25 years of age , it is estimated that there will be 104.62 million fresh entrants to the work force by 2022 that will need to be skilled .
To enhance employability a blend of education and skills is essential for individual growth and economic development . About 90 % of employment opportunities require vocational skills . Only 20 % of our graduates get employed . The rest are unable to get suitable employment due to the lack of employable skills . In the present context of globalization , the demand for skilled and multi-skilled workers has increased . In general apart from the core subject expertise , some of the prominent employable skill that employers seek are : communication skill ( verbal and written ), commercial awareness , attitude towards work , lifelong learning ’ s , self-management , teamwork , problem solving , initiative , self-motivation , adaptability , stress management creativity , interpersonal sensitivity , technology IT skills . The Government of Kerala Skill initiatives ASAP is a golden step . ASAP has developed as one stop point for skilling in Kerala , but challenges ahead is not a cake walk . ASAP has to go a long way ahead .
___________________________
Volume 2 Issue 3 , March 2017 13