Role of Skill

8/8/2019 Role of Skill

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‘ Role of Skill-based or Vocational Training on Education: Case Study of Deepalaya Vocational Training Program

"Compared to China, India has a much stronger and self-sufficient skill base...India is truly the powerhouse of the future." Michael Maedel , President,

JWT Worldwide

Nandan Nilekani in his book ‘Imagining India’ has said that the country hasthe right blend of huge natural resources as well as entrepreneurial abilityand technological know how to grow as a nation. However, only the provisionof suitable infrastructure can enhance the productivity of this emergingmanpower. His book further elucidates that even though education in Indiahas gained popular appeal but we still have a long way to go in terms of infrastructure requirement.

This also brings out the fact that even though there is a presence of politicalwill and huge potential for growth, government is somehow constrained at

levels for which it needs the help of partners like corporates and nongovernment set ups. Government has recognized the glaring skill gapspersisting in the country which forms a part of education system. In order tofacilitate the same, India is looking at vocational training as a means tobridge the lacunae in the education systems where voluntary sector form amajor support structure to meet the gaps in infrastructure. Deepalaya is onesuch organization which has been offering Vocational Trainings to theunderpriviledged youth from slum communities of Delhi and rural populationof Haryana and Uttarakhand. The training is imparted in specialised skillsand knowledge and instilling social and political attitudes and behaviourpatterns essential for successful economic activities by people engaged independent employment, self-employment or subsistence work.

About DeepalayaDeepalaya is a non government organization working on the developmentalissues, with special focus on children. The underlying belief governing theexistence of the organization is ‘Enabling self reliance- which also forms thekey to the organization’s objectives.

Deepalaya has been successfully offering services to urban slums of Delhiand rural populations of Haryana, UP and Uttarakhand since 1979. Mainrecipients of these services are the economically and socially deprived, aswell as physically and mentally challenged citizens of the country. Theorganization does not limit its reach to children, youth, men and women

interested in increasing the knowledge, skills and self sustainability.Deepalaya helps these individuals through education, skill training andawareness building on rights thus leading to holistic economic empowerment.

Deepalaya Vocational Training ProgrammeDeepalaya has taken vocational training to an all new level incorporating it inthe format as depicted in Figure 1



The organization runs one of its skill programmes from Panchsheel Parklocated in the midst of a slum location. Its aim is to teach poor slum youthand unemployed, relevant skills to become self employed or get a skilled job.Deepalaya has not limited itself to just technical skills in the field of BeautyCulture, Dress Designing, Computer Hardware and software, Air Conditioning

and refrigeration, Electronic & Communication & Electricals but it also ensureoverall growth and development of the candidates by introducing from timeto time life skill component in its training programme.

The BeginningDeepalaya first got into vocational training as a demand that originated fromcommunity back in 1980s when the organization started its initiatives insmaller formats as community based sewing and tailoring training centers,typewriting classes and later as the times changed computer classes.

Deepalaya had always realized the need to use vocational training as anintegral part of making any society self reliant and in that attempt it also

implemented the idea of integrated education where children received inaddition to academics, vocational training, avenues for latent talentdevelopment and value education to develop a child as a completeindependent individual.

For starters Deepalaya organized community based training set up for sewingand tailoring, knitting and embroidery, home management, electricals, A/Cand refrigeration etc. The intervention dates back to early 1990s when it allstarted as a need based program and the aim was to mobilize and train the

Specialized

VocationalProgramme

DVC

Community Based Vocational Set ups

Individual programs as per community demand for Sewing & tailoring, Computer education, Typing,

etc

FIGURE 1



community men, women and youth to be a more productive part of society.At the same time providing them the confidence, especially in the case of rural women, to step out of their houses and have an opportunity to learnand grow better.

As time progressed Deepalaya realized the need to address the youth of the

community in a more structured manner and it launched a full fledgedtraining center which catered to slum communities of Delhi and ruralcommunities of Haryana.

The ApproachDeepalaya had always believed in the approach of reaching out to thepoorest of poor and making a programme for their benefit. The target groupidentified by Deepalaya for running this programme was youth who were nonstudents who had either been school drop outs or were tenth or twelfth passfrom slum locations/ rural population. The aim was to impart vocationaleducation so as to enable them to be economically independent citizens of society.

Deepalaya’s policy of “Nothing is for free” also helped the students who wereenrolled to be a more responsible part of the training and education process.

The nominal fees charged by the organization, helped maintain the spirit of ownership both in the organization and the beneficiaries.

It was also realized that no training would be enough until it was recognizedby a registered body which led Deepalaya to get itself affiliated withgovernment of India through Jan Skikshan Kendra (a government body) andcertification for the vocational course is done through PRAYAS, New Delhi.

Over the years Deepalaya has also worked with children with physical

challenges to provide them vocational training in order to make themindependent citizens of the country. The belief underlying this is thateverybody deserves a chance to prove themselves and Deepalaya is acatalyst to that growth.

The Pedagogy

Deepalaya is running vocational skill training course in different trades. They run six months basic course followed by six months advance course in all the trades. Even though the

continuation of students from basic to advance is optional, students are encouraged to undergo the

complete one year course in order to strengthen their skills. To facilitate this, the timing for

advanced course has been designed in such a manner that trainees can attend this on part time

basis.

Deepalaya ensure that the instructors hired for imparting the training are well trained. They

impart trainings which is not just limited to the course content but also has the component of

industry exposures through visits to companies, factory units and also internship for six months in

the respective field of learning. The curriculum so designed is updated on an ongoing basis as per

the industry requirement to enable the student to be adept at the latest technologies in the markets.

The content delivered for training is a mix of theory and practical but the focus is more on

practical.



In addition to the technical knowledge building, Deepalaya also provides for capacity building

through life skills development programme which include skills of handling difficult situations,

effective communication, resume preparation, interview techniques etc.

Deeepalaya also undertakes campaigning and publicity for admissions which are conducted by

the trainers themselves. This facilitates better dissemination of information for the beneficiariesi.e. the students and at the same time functioning as an understanding tool for instructors to better

come in terms with the ground realities.

The trainer so prepared through thorough understanding of the subject matter as well as

background of the trainees uses participatory methodology which draws upon the experience of

trainees.

The training is regularly monitored by the training coordinator and advisory board for

maintaining quality. Proper planning of syllabus, lesson plans and plan of action is prepared on a

weekly basis. Administrative issues like drop out, late comings and dress up are closely

monitored and strict action is taken whenever required.

The USP of the programme

Deepalaya’s model of Vocational Training is unique set of competencies and innovations to suit

the need of the communities. It encompasses a customized program and does not just limit itself

to the abled children but has spread its arm to service the differently abled through its VocationalTraining Programme.

From the role of trainers, the monitoring and administration of courses, Deepalaya offers a

combination of unique advantages to the students who enroll for these courses as mentioned in

Figure 2.

Respondingthedemand of

skilltraining

Networking&

Cooperation with

stakeholder

Provision

for TOT

RaisingEntreprene

urCompetenc

y

Usingtargetgroups

responsive training

AddressingMarket

Entrepreneuship

Flexible &demandoriented

curriculum

Provision of Placements

Promotionof LifeSkills

Flexibleentry

criteria

DeepalayaModel forVocational Training



FIGURE 2 Deepalaya’s Model for Vocational Training

In addition to the services provided by Deepalaya, the organization also hasformed an advisory board for the promotion of vocational training courseswith like minded individual and groups which is essentially responsible fordoing the assessment of the training course. They also discuss about thechange if any in curriculum through consultative process and work out

strategy for the placement. Also as a step to facilitate the entrepreneurialability, Deepalaya has also formed Self Help Groups of the trainees with anaim to initiate self employment after successful completion of the vocationalcourses.

The non conventional approach to pursue the program has enhanced thequality of the program. Space for flexi- hours, relaxation in selectionprocedure for trainees with regard to educational background, customizationof programs as per level of community keeping it in lines with therequirement of the market, form some of the salient features of the program.

Deepalaya constantly aims to better itself in its efforts and is open to

feedback from beneficiaries. Students are encouraged to give a feedback onthe quality of trainers and the institute. Parents of the trainees are alsoregularly kept in touch so that they are also animated of their child’s progressin the respective field.

Some Milestones

Deepalaya model of vocational training in the non formal sector has come along way since its beginning. It has seen many milestones over the past fewyears. In terms of growth of enrollment, placements and reviews fromstakeholders and media, Deepalaya can claim of the followingachievements:-

1. The outreach of the vocational training programme has been to distantvillages in Haryana & Uttarakhand in addition to slums of Delhi, whichhas facilitated access to the most backward communities in the mostdifficult circumstances, for eg- girls from the Meo Muslim families of villages of Mewat, who under other circumstances would not have thechance to get an exposure outside their houses.

2. A total of over 36000 individuals (cumulatively) have been coveredthrough the program who have been duly certified by Deepalaya;National Open Schooling or Jan Shiksha Sansthan.

3. The structure facilitates campus interviews for job placement whichprovide a student more opportunity to prepare and appear for a testfor career with more confidence.

4. The placement percentage as per the records is about 56% and percapita cost per training to obtain a job is Rs 2194/- for the studentswho completed the course, as it is highly subsidized with a pro-poorapproach

5. Employer visits conducted regularly establish good rapport withindustrial houses and corporates to ensure the placements of the



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Role of Skill

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