A practical degree
Usha Albuquerque
If you had planned to take up a vocational course after Class XII in order to be ready to work in the fields of interior design or construction technology, but were constrained because vocational courses are typically not degree programmes, you can now breathe easy. With the increasing demand in various sectors of industry for graduates with practical skills who are able to start work immediately after graduation, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has launched a scheme on skill-development based higher education as part of college/university education, leading to a Bachelor of Vocation (BVoc.) degree.
Among the universities taking up this programme is Delhi’s Indraprastha University, which now offers nine degree courses in different vocational streams, ranging from applied arts and interior design to construction technology and power distribution technology.
What’s on offer
These courses provide application-based study rather than theoretical knowledge and aim at not only enhancing knowledge in their respective fields, but also provide students with the required skills and practical knowledge to make them job-ready once they complete the course.
By working more closely with industry, such professional programmes have been structured keeping in mind the knowledge, skills and experience demanded by employers.
The qualifications, are recognised by those in the industry in a variety of fields ranging from computing and applied arts to printing and publishing, and automobile technology etc.
Students at the post-graduate level can also access many of these courses. Such courses can even help out the individual who wishes to take a step further and think of becoming an entrepreneur.
Multiple exit options
Another useful and interesting aspect of this programme is that it has multiple exit and entry options so you can start with a one/ two-year diploma or advanced diploma programme, take up work after that for some experience, and then return, when ready, and if required, for the final year of study to earn a bachelor’s degree.
The syllabus and core curriculum of the programme has been developed under the NSQF (National Skills Qualifications Framework) keeping in mind industry requirements while providing flexible options for students who may or may not be in a position to spend as much as three years in full-time study.
The programme structure which aims to build individual capacities and adequate employability skills, blends appropriate technical knowledge and skills, with personal and professional skills through classroom teaching and substantive ‘hands-on’ and field/site experience required in each trade and consists of 60 per cent practical training and 40 per cent of general theoretical education.
Getting In
Bachelor in Vocation is a three-year undergraduate course. Eligibility for this course is successful completion of Class XII of any stream from a recognised board. As all courses include modules on soft skills, management and personality development the degree programme helps individuals to grow and learn professionally.
Apart from it, students after Calss X can also opt for short or long-term courses like diplomas and degrees. However, BVoc course is a full-time degree and it cannot be taken as an add-on programme. The age limit for this course is 16-45 years.
Work options
After completing your BVoc degree you can start working immediately. As you would have had some practical experience during the course and picked up the skills required for a particular job, B Voc graduates are preferred by most employers. Apart from this, there is also industry recognition as the university is working on corporate tie ups for providing training and internships at their organisation to the students pursuing the degree, and the hands on experience and skills acquired makes the student ready for employment.
In the current employment state, vocational occupations present the most practical paths for entering a career field. There are also hundreds of organisations searching for qualified professionals in so many different fields. So if you want to dive headlong into a field of choice, the BVoc degree programme can help you learn the skills and give you a degree that you need in less time, and with a much smaller investment.
BVoc courses at IP University
The programmes currently on offer at IP University are:
- Applied Arts: The focus of this course is on studying and using layout and design concepts as in the graphic design field with analog media(drawing with pencil and paper etc.) and digital media-using up-to-date computer tools (graphic hardware and software) for drawing, painting, layout, typography, printing, scanning editing and photography. The students can become graphic designers working in print and digital production, work as freelance artist or illustrators, in photography and print making
- Automobile technology: This course will provide students with theoretical knowledge and practical training to install, service, maintain and update Automobile systems. Graduates can work as senior technicians/Supervisors/ Managers in sales, design, technical support, or as maintenance personnel in automobile engineering and ancilliary industries.
- Construction Technology course offers students training for employment opportunities in the construction industry — how to integrate multiple professional requirements for bringing construction projects to successful completion, including building construction, planning and drafting, estimating, cost control, new technologies, methods of surveying, water management and sanitation, and labour management etc.
- Interior Design: This course covers training in creativity, style, new techniques and handling of the latest materials for use in designing interior spaces, so as to deal with optimum utilisation of space, physical comfort and visual enrichment. Students can work with interior designers and architects and also take up jobs as display and exhibition designers, and in furniture design, furnishing design etc.
- Mobile Communication course provides students from Science/ ITI backgrounds the knowledge and skills for employment and entrepreneurship in the field of telecom/ mobile communication. Depending on the years and level of training, Diploma/ degree holders can become maintenance engineers, mobile repair engineers, customer care executives, or supervisors, telecom service manager, Android App Developer etc
- Refrigeration & Air Conditioning programme provides students with theoretical knowledge and practical training to install, service, maintain and update refrigeration and air conditioning systems. On completion of the programme candidates can look forward to jobs as technicians in design, technical support, or maintenance or in sales, in the areas of refrigeration and air-conditioning whether residential, commercial, institutional, or in industrial settings.
- Power distribution and management course: This important and interesting course provides candidates with strong technical knowledge and skills required for the operation and maintenance of power distribution systems in the country, as well as reasonable exposure to accounting, finance, and the regulatory mechanism of this sector
- Printing & Publishing course involves knowledge and technical skills in handling various printing processes, printing machineries, print finishing, as also graphic design and editing, etc. Graduates and diploma holders can look forward to many opportunities with publishing houses, pinting presses, commercial printing presses doing offset, flexography, gravure and screen printing, as also jobs in e-publishing, and packaging
Software development programme is ideal for all those who want to pursue a professional career in software development, prepares students to undertake careers involving skills and problem solving using programming techniques and technologies. Depending on the years and level of study a student can exit and get a job as a programmimg assistant, hardware technician, Network Maintenance Supervisor, Database Operator, Android Application Developer, Software Project Analyst, ERP Consultant and so on.
