In skilled hands

Usha Albuquerque

 

 Harjeet did not fare well at school and had little hope of getting into college. More than that, getting any job seemed a pipe dream until he chanced on the computer repair classes being held at a computer centre near his house. Six months later with a computer repair certificate, Harjeet is already attending to calls in his neighbourhood :  the Rs 25,000 spent on the training is paying dividends.

Kunjan had done well in school but her family could only afford the distance learning BCom programme which taught her little by way of employable skills. Being good at numbers, her teacher suggested that she take on a six-month accounting course at a vocational college nearby, where she is learning the accounting software that most Indian companies use. With the skills she is learning and a college degree, Kunjan stands a good chance of bagging a banking job.  

More and more young people are beginning to realise that they don't need a three or four-year degree to have a successful career. Vocational training can help you learn the skills required to get a job in less time and with a much smaller investment. In recent years, diploma and certificate providing institutes are developing job skills focused on employment.  Most institutes today are working closely with industry to identify the knowledge, skills and experience demanded by employers, and tailor the professional programmes that are practical, technologically up-to-date and relevant to work needs. 

The courses available today can suit almost any student, as they range from certificate courses of short duration - two weeks to one year, as also diploma programmes of 1-2 years. Such courses can lead to hundreds of different careers, from accounting, computer networking, tourism or hospitality to food service, retail services and cellphone repair. 

A date with computers

With the huge scope in the field of computers there are hundreds of computer training courses and institutes in every town and city for every level of skill and expertise. From designing programmes, software testing, hardware and networking, to database management, data-processing, multi-media, web designing and e-commerce  - a demand which neither the industry nor prospective employers can meet up. 

Industries that have boomed in the past decade, like telecommunications and retail, cannot find enough skilled workers for their rapid expansion. Some large companies, like Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services, have even set up their own in-house training centers.

Multiple fields

There are courses to provide training for jobs in the apparel industry in fashion design, tailoring and embroidery, textile or accessory design, and so on. Courses in television and film prepare students for a host of jobs working with cameras and sound and lighting equipment, conduct filming shoots, editing and printing. Similarly there are polytechnics that train for a range of para-medical courses that can lead to jobs in radiology, medical laboratory technician, occupational therapy and so on which can directly provide jobs in hospital, clinics and nursing homes. 

While most courses are for students who have completed Class X or XII, there are also programmes for middle school dropouts. Service industry training is popular for those who want work in shops, restaurants and hotels, as also courses for plumbers, electricians and beauticians. Many also learn basic life skills, like the importance of punctuality, speaking professionally with supervisors and keeping a tidy appearance.

Students who wish to complete their school education but are unable to do this in a regular school programme can complete Class XII through National Open School www.nios.ac.in  which is a school board like any other. Subjects can then be taken up as required  - whether science, commerce or any other vocational /non-academic subject.

The other option is to take up job-oriented programmes directly after Class X. 

There are many polytechnics, both government and private that offer skill based courses in various disciplines related to food services, the construction industry, computers, technical courses, para-medical, architectural, accounting, etc. 

Vocational education can only have its full economic impact if it produces people with skills that can get them well-paid, fulfilling work as per industry requirements. Building skills is an important tool which can not only empower an individual and transform their lives and the lives of their families, but is also the driving force behind the financial growth and development of any country. As per the findings of the Boston Consulting Group, by 2020 there will be worldwide shortage of around 47 million skilled working force, a large percentage of which will be in India.

Retail, IT and IT enabled services, telecom services, financial services, hospitality and healthcare, will require professionals trained in communication, computer, electronic and technical, numerical and financial, hospitality and food services, media and communication, and para-medical skills.  If we can train our youth in these skills, and take advantage of our demographic dividend, India can become the global sourcing hub for skilled employees, while meeting the rising employment aspirations of the youth. As India targets to becoming a global economic powerhouse, it needs to equip its workforce with employable skills and knowledge to make India a world class economy. 

Torch bearers

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has been the catalyst responsible for building the vocational and technical training framework for the country, skill up-gradation, building of new skills, and innovative thinking not only for existing jobs but also jobs that are to be created. It has aided and supported several missions that focus on skill development like the - National Skill Development Agency (NSDA), National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), National Skill Development Fund (NSDF) and 33 Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) as well as 187 training partners registered with NSDC. The National Skills Development Corporation, set up in 2009, has been supporting and coordinating private sector initiatives for skill development through appropriate Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models, with the formidable target of training 150 million people by 2022.  It has identified over 21 key sectors (including the unorganised sector) such as manufacturing, textile, construction, automotive, retail and healthcare of particular importance to meet India's modern economic demands. It aims to promote skill development by initiating the creation of large and quality oriented training institutes all over the country, and providing funding to enterprises, companies and organisations that provide skill training. The NSDC works with 267 training partners that have trained over 2 million skilled people in more than 25 sectors. 

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Engineering diplomas

Engineering diplomas have always been on offer, but with the new thrust on skill development these have taken on a renewed vigor.  Most government and private polytechnics offer engineering diplomas in several different disciplines, for which admission is through a common entrance exam. Moreover, the diploma can be extended to a degree through lateral entry into the second year of an engineering college. Technical training can also provide openings for jobs in areas such as refrigeration, and air-conditioning servicing, auto servicing, radio and TV servicing, electronic repair etc.

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Mobile repair

One of the fastest growing niche segment these days is Wireless and Mobile Technology. The mobile phone companies whether GSM or CDMA, are providing lucrative services at affordable prices to the consumers. 

In this fluid technology, equipment like handsets, computers, laptops, net books, palmtops, personal digital assistants, tablets, smart phones with GPS devices and wireless terminals are delivered with Wi Fi, Bluetooth, 3G/4G services, virtual private networks and other advanced communications technologies. This has created a need for jobs for mobile repair.

 

Courses and institutes

Britco and Bidco Institute of Mobile Phone Technology Pvt Ltd, Delhi; Hi-Tech Institute of Mobile Repairing; India Training Institute, with centres in Delhi, Ludhiana,, Jaipur  and Indian Institute of Technical Education, New Delhi  are some institutes that impart training in repairing phones of GSM & CDMA handsets by using highly sophisticated instruments. These institutes offer career-oriented courses targeted at the wireless telecom repair and maintenance segment.

These courses would make you an industry-ready candidate rather than a certificate holder. The course curriculum is based on accurate theory and practical tips to make you capable of repairing any mobile phone handsets of GSM, CDMA or any other new convergent products. 

The training programmes are on chip-level service and repair of mobile phones and covers areas like soldering, de soldering of components etc. You would also be trained on chip-level servicing of components, power amplifiers, audio I.C, CPU, power supply I.C , charging control, R.F signal processor, SMD components replacement and also rectify hardware problems like battery charging, water damage, network display, ringer, buzzer, audio incoming and outgoing, sim card insertion etc. besides software problems like hanging, network, unlocking, flashing software like USR, twister, tornado, griffin, problems related to camera and bluetooth.

Field of potential

According to a labour survey conducted recently, only 25 per cent of educated engineers and 15 per cent of management and finance graduates find good jobs that utilise their learning. At the same time there is a huge requirement for skilled professionals in every industry — manufacturing, healthcare, construction, food, hospitality, aviation, banking, design, computers and many more. About 90 per cent of these employment opportunities require vocational skills. 

Employment opportunities

After pursuing the certifications, you can either successfully set up your own business or seek  employment with MNCs like Nokia, LG, Samsung, Sony, BPL, Thomson, Haier, TATA, Motorola etc.

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• Government recognised institutes providing certifications for training
• Large number of partner institutes across  country providing skill training according to the requirements for jobs in each geographical area
• Variety of courses covering a large number of different job fields
• Structured course curriculum and practical application of skills in job oriented environment
• Direct linkage and placements to relevant industries and jobs
• Open to students  of all levels of schooling: Class X, Class XII, Class VIII, school drop-outs and others
• Reasonable cost of training
• Possibility of  skill upgradation for enhanced job prospects
• Teaching of soft skills and job skills alongside skill training to help candidates build confidence and employability

 

Where to train

• Skill development training centers, universities and other institutes cover several schemes targeting a variety of vocational skills.  Training skills are provided according to the need of the area and the human resource available. In poor states where the main industries are mining, power and steel, it focuses on training fitters, machinists, mechanics and electricians.
• Schemes in Punjab and Haryana target agricultural and food processing skills. 
• There are schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)  that aims to train about 24 lakh Indian  for work in manufacturing industries. 
• The Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gram Kaushal Yojana (DDU-GKY) is a placement linked skill development programme for training rural youth in over 250 trades such as Retail, Hospitality, Health, Construction, Automotive, Leather, Electrical, Plumbing, Gems and Jewellery,  and so on.  
• The IL&FS Skills Development Corp., another N.S.D.C. partner, works in rural areas in states like Orissa and Tamil Nadu. It has trained more than 225,000 people since 2007 and has ambitious plans to train four million youths over the next decade.
• In Delhi, the World Class Skill Centre set up by the state government in collaboration with the government of Singapore is offering training courses in Hospitality Operations, Retail services, Software testing and Finance executive courses to students of the NCR who have passed Class XII.
• There are several private training partners that are also offering a range of skill based programmes across the country.  Many have developed their  own textbooks, manuals, training materials and on-campus job placement services. 

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Course check

• Advanced Diploma in Hardware Maintenance
• Advanced Diploma in Internet Applications
• Diploma in Internet Applications
• Diploma in Cyber Security
• Diploma in Hardware and Networking Technology
• Diploma in Internet and Intranet Security
• Diploma in Networking and Internet Application
• Diploma in Hardware Maintenance
• Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Networking/Hardware and Maintenance
• Post Graduate Diploma in Hardware Maintenance and Networking (PGDHMN)

Certificate courses

• Certificate course in Computer Hardware
• Certificate course in Computer Hardware and Networking
• Certificate course in Internet Applications
• Certificate in Computer Networking and Internet (CCNI)
• Certified Wireless Security Professional (CWSP)
• Check Point Certified Security Administrator (CCSA)
• Check Point Certified Security Expert (CCSE)
• Cisco Certified Network Administrator (CCNA)
• Cisco Certified Network Associate Security (CCNA Security)