)
Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) has opened the School of Vocational Education to spearhead the vocational training programme envisaged in the initiative proposed by the ministry of human resource development (MHRD). TISS has been selected as the nodal point to implement the initiative.
Professor Neela Dabir, deputy director, TISS, said 20 per cent of the institute's graduates from traditional education streams are employable and the rest need to acquire additional qualification to get a job.
"Therefore, there is a definite need to offer meaningful job-oriented skill/vocational training courses in a variety of fields. The fields/sectors for vocational courses should be carefully chosen; the choice of courses has to be demand driven," said Dabir.
The framework for the TISS School of Vocational Education (SVE) was conceptualised in 2011, to spread skill development to every nook and corner of the country. This entailed identifying partners, developing courses, curriculum and content, as well as the entire supporting mechanism.
Dabir said TISS SVE has been set up to create an ecosystem that would bring back dignity of labour to blue collar jobs and create a sustainable source of income. This project has been initiated under the aegis of All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) proposed by the MHRD. The approach adopted by TISS SVE is called the Work Integrated Training Programme (WITP). The aim is to enable students to learn skills by engaging in on-the-job training, along with classroom theoretical inputs.
Through this 'earn while you learn' model, the trainee may also earn a stipend during the on-the-job course duration. The courses will be conducted pan India through Hub Partners (supporting effective delivery of classroom-based inputs) and Skill Knowledge Partners or SKPs (an industry partner that will provide on-the-job training).
Dabir said while they do not guarantee placements, it is expected that most of the students will be absorbed by SKPs after completion of their courses. But they can also apply in similar set ups. The hub partner, however, would extend placement guidance and support to the trained students.
TISS-SVE will have Bachelor of Vocational Education (BVoc) programme, where every individual level/year is a standalone certification recognised and awarded by TISS as a deemed university. These target youth who are seeking non-formal education methods to enhance their employability and earning capabilities.
The students will also have short-term skill enhancement courses, which would be less than six months duration. The objective is to upgrade the specialised skills that each sector demands to enhance earning capabilities.
Apart from the BVoc programme and short-term courses, Dabir said TISS would also offer skill enhancement courses. The focus of these programmes is to provide opportunities to people who are already part of the industry to upgrade their skills in view of career succession and to keep up with the change in technology, process, etc.
Dabir said the University Grants Commission (UGC) has also recognised the need to have a proper structure for BVoc courses, and, therefore, there is a combination of certain general education courses along with vocational theory and practical courses. All BVoc courses are designed in accordance with the UGC guidelines, and this makes it possible to consider the BVoc degree equivalent to any other bachelor's degree.
The general education courses are common to all BVoc programmes, but choice of courses can be given in the vocational component, and based on the demand of the job market different electives can be offered to students.
"We are hopeful that this approach to education will get recognition and acceptance in India in due course of time," said Dabir.
