An article posted by - Shri Anant Abhang
MITRA (MISSION for TRANSFORMATION OF RURBAN AREA)
MITRA (MISSION for TRANSFORMATION OF RURBAN AREA)
India has a total workforce of about 50 crores , out of which only 5% to 6% is skilled or semi‐skilled. Remaining all are unskilled. India being a nation of young people, there will be an addition of 20 to 25 crore of working adults to the existing workforce in the near future. How to carry out the stupendous task of training various skills to such a huge population?
As envisaged by STAR FORUM , we should evolve low capital, replicable, sustainable, portable models which reach to the widest cross‐section of the society, namely urban poor, dalit, advasi, rural youth as well as unfortunate women such as widows & abandoned women.
Two approaches‐ i.e. Distance Vocational Training & Self Learning Models‐ are necessary to achieve the above target in a short period.
If Distance Engineering Education is a reality, then Distance Vocational Training on mass scale is also an attainable goal in the coming decade. Video films of hundreds of vocations need to be produced. I have seen a video film on U Tube, demonstrating many Turning operations on lathe machine. Such video films can cover the theoretical part of the syllabus of the training program. Giving instructions of Practical work is also possible through video‐conferencing. JNANA PRABODHINI(JP) , Pune has carried out a few experiments in distance education. Recently the students of some schools from all over Maharashtra performed science practical work for three hours under the guidance of JP experts through video conferencing. The students can also get guidance in project work through video‐conferencing.
The virtual training can be supplemented with camps or week‐end batches in practical work by physically visiting the training institute. Thus a combination of Distance Education & actual training in the premises of the institute may fulfill the needs of the mass vocational training.
Along with distance education, the development of the Self‐learning Process in Vocational Training is the need of the hour. We are living in a modern world of rapidly changing technologies. It is not possible to impart training at every change‐over of the technology. The vocational courses should be conducted in such a manner that the student should be able to evolve his own self‐learning process. E.g. the student of an engine repairing course should be able to deal with all types of engine‐technologies, which are changing from to time. Thomas Edison used to say, “I have very little theoretical knowledge of science because I could not complete even the school education. I am not a scientist but a technocrat.”Still there were
highest numbers of patents on his name. Edison had developed his own self‐learning process. To develop self‐ learning process, the student should be ‘Jack of all trades & master of at least one.’ The knowledge base of the main trades, e.g. turning, fitting, welding, wiring etc. is necessary. At the same time he should be the master of at least one trade.
Thirdly, the voluntary organizations should collaborate with NATIONAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, as it has huge resources & funds at its disposal.
We can’t drink the salt water of the ocean, unless we distill it. Similarly, India is a vast ocean of sour (unskilled) people who are not useful for quality or high‐tech work. They will become useful only if they convert themselves into a skilled workforce by taking vocational training.
