National Level Discussion–Meeting
Held on February 1, 2010
to evolve Concrete Action Plan for
Skill Up-gradation and Capacity Building
to strengthen PM’s National Skill Development Mission
Through IGNOU’s Vertically Integrated Programmes
Hon. Vice-Chancellor Prof. V. N. Rajasekharan Pillai arrives at the venue
Important Issues and Recommendations
A National Level Discussion Meeting was organised by School of Engineering and Technology(SOET) at India Habitat Centre on February 1, 2010 to evolve concrete action plan for skill up-gradation and capacity building to strengthen PM’s National Skill Development Mission. The meeting was attended by experts from academia, Industry, government, policy makers and media. Presentations were made by experts and detailed discussion held on various issues related the theme of the meeting. Important issues and recommendations of the meeting are presented in subsequent paragraphs.
Padmabhushan National Professor, Prof. N.S.Ramaswamy sharing his views on Skill Development
Background
The aim of Prime Minister’s National Council of Skill development is as under :
♦ To have 500 million skilled workers ( i.e. One-Fourth of the technical workforce of the world ) by the year 2020.
♦ To increase the skilled workforce from 5% to about 50%.
♦ To achieve the targeted growth in economy.
♦ To train and certify the surplus 47 million working age people ( that would be by year 2020) as technicians.
♦ To increase the percentage of literacy and limited literacy of the workforce of 397 million, in which almost 67% is other illiterate or suffers from limited literacy level.
♦ To ensure that the workforce remains on the cutting edge of the technology revolution.
♦ To obliterate the gender rural-urban divides in acquiring skill development.
♦ To utilise the available resources such as educational institutions with public and private sector participation for skill development.
Ignou through it’s Schools of Studies and the wide spread network of Regional Centres and Study Centres is offering skill development programmes all over the country. School of Engineering and Technology has initiated pioneer effort by Launching Vertically Integrated engineering Programmes known as IGNOU-VIEP. The scheme provides an opportunity for upward mobility to learners from certificate to Ph.D. programmes in engineering by enhancing and augmenting the capacity and level of
operations, IGNOU wishes to contribute in the skill up-gradation and capacity building to strengthen PM’s National Skill Development Mission through IGNOU’s Vertically Integrated programmes.
Hon. Vice-Chancellor Prof. V. N. Rajasekharan Pillai on the need for creating 5000 IGNOU-VIEP skill development centres to strengthen PM’s National Skill Development Mission
Important issues and concerns
During the discussions, following important issues and concerns were noted :
♦ Un-availability of skilled and certified work force.
♦ Quality training and education.
♦ Training to handle power tools and new machines to enhance production and quality of the product.
♦ Scaling up the training facilities.
♦ Opportunity for vertical mobility.
♦ Policy decision for recognition of skill development programmes for vertical mobility.
♦ Training and education of school dropouts.
♦ Enhancing gross enrollment in skill development programmes with vertical mobility options.
Mr. Sunil Kumar Joint Secretary, MHRD pointing the role of regulatory bodies in Skill Development
Recommendations
As a solution to the issues raised in the meeting, following are the main recommendations :
♦ Development of linkage programmes in the form of Diploma preparatory Programmes (DPP) of Six month duration for non-matriculate candidates having skill certificate for the purpose of admission to diploma Programmes in Engineering.
♦ Coordination and networking of the institutes, organisations and agencies involved in skill training and certification programmes.
♦ Utilisation of training centres of industry and corporate houses.
♦ To establish a minimum of 5,000 centres to initiate skill development programme in phased manner.
♦ To increase the disciplines of skill development in phased manner.
In order to achieve the same, it is necessary that a centralised body is created within IGNOU. In the present setup of IGNOU, to achieve the aforementioned targets in skill development, the activities fall on various spheres viz. School of Engineering and Technology, School of Vocational Education and Training, Academic Council, Board of Management, Students Registration Division, Students Evaluation Division, etc. and these schools/divisions fall under the administrative control different higher authorities viz. PVC’s and VC. Therefore proper coordination is a herculean task. Moreover the programme also need to be supported from all agencies of the Union of India and the respective
departments of the State Governments. It is therefore, proposed that an autonomous unit chaired by the Vice-Chancellor be created and academicians and officials from all related schools and divisions of IGNOU be made the members apart from members from outside. It is only in similar circumstances in order to have the necessary coordination; the PM office has also created PM’s National Council on Skill Development. The said autonomous body may be called as "IGNOU’s Skill Development Mission" and the inclusion of the following members are suggested. :
Mr. K.P.Murthy, Member Skill Development MHRD emphasise the role of IGNOU on Nation Building and Skill Development
IGNOU’s SKILL DEVELOPMENT MISSION
The constitution of the apex body of IGNOU’s Skill Development Mission may be as follows. : Chair Person : Vice-Chancellor, IGNOU
Members :
1. One person from PM’s Council on National Skill Development
2. One person from National Skill Development Corporation
3. One person from Directorate General of Employment and training Ministry of Labor and Employment
4. One person from each State from the Labor department
5. One person from MHRD
6. One person from SOET, IGNOU
7. One person from SOVET, IGNOU
8. One person from SED, IGNOU
9. One person from Academic council, IGNOU
10. One person from Board of Management, IGNOU
11. One person from Finance/Accounts Department, IGNOU
12. Registrar, IGNOU
13. One person from Legal Profession
14. Expert in the field of Skill Development
15. Eminent Personalities from Industries related to Skill Development
16. Eminent Economists.
17. Eminent Academicians.
18. Persons of High repute and esteemed honor.
There should also be member secretary amongst the above.
All decisions taken in above mentioned body should be implemented by the concerned schools/divisions of IGNOU
Prof. N.R.Shetty president ISTE expressing his views on Skill Development and IGNOU’s role.
