Dr. REJU M. T, IAS
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
ADDITIONAL SKILL ACQUISITION PROGRAMME
( A joint initiative of General & Higher Education Department, Govt. of Kerala)
Skill development initiatives of the Additional Skill Acquisition Programme( ASAP) are entering a new phase in its fourth year of existence. Three years of intensive efforts in providing skill-based education to students of Higher Secondary Schools and Undergraduate Colleges have helped the programme to set new benchmarks in quality training and student placement. The programme that began in a small way in a one room office during 2012 with 12 skill courses in 9 sectors has now grown to a full-fledged institution that offers 90 skill courses covering 22 industry sectors to 25728 students spread out in 969 educational institutions across the state.
Growth and evolution of the programme has been due to the untiring work of a dedicated team of officials and Programme Managers driven by passion and commitment to the cause. The programme has connections with reputed Training Service Providers and industry professionals across the country thereby taking it to the national level. The great participation of professionals from the different sectors during the recently concluded conclave, SEEK 15 spells out its reach in the country and influence it has in the area of skill development.
Apart from changing the lives of thousands of students from the disadvantaged sections, the programme has set new standards in maintaining quality of training and industry connect. Also, the emphasis on a MISbased Quality Framework helps the programme to maintain high quality even during scale up. All these, have contributed significantly to the effectiveness of the General and Higher Education systems in the state. The report being submitted here show cases all these achievements of the programme apart from projecting the future goals. To be part of the journey towards excellence in skill-based education is a great honour and a privilege. I wish and hope all the stake holders have a similar feeling.
Dr. REJU M. T, IAS
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Additional Skill Acquisition Programme Government of Kerala