Why Are ITIs, Polytechnics and Skilling Centres Visionary Projects in Skill Education?

The country is witnessing a high rate of unemployment and less than favorable economic growth.

The decline in employment is mainly due to fewer suitable candidates with the skill sets to meet job requirements - according to many employers, the majority of the candidates lack the required skills to apply for jobs.

The solution to India's problems today is to learn from the vocational institutes of the United Kingdom (UK). In 2016, the UK government started something called Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). The integration of vocational training with educational institutes became the base for developing educational-based skills and creating better opportunities for students.

Also in Bangladesh, a country with a less developed economy than India, worked upon vocational training institutes that provide better job opportunities to its citizens. Suma Begum, a citizen of Bangladesh, was struggling to earn a living at one point in her life. While she was going through kitchens and supermarkets to find a job, her teacher introduced her to the Skill for Employment and Productivity (B-SEP) Project.

And since then, her life has changed positively. Suma pursued a skill development course in the food industry and is currently working as Supervising Quality Control Manager with a reputed firm.

In India, it is not the students' fault. It's the responsibility of institutes to help students hone vocational and professional skills. This is where vocational training sets itself apart from the mainstream education system.

What Will Help in Transforming the Education System?

The education system needs to understand the importance of skill- and vocation-based learning. And recently, according to the New Education Policy, many institutes have started to integrate their education system with better professional training courses. This will help students get employed.

Additionally, apart from the mainstream education system, Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), polytechnics and skilling centres must be given importance. These vocational institutes help students looking for professional skills and employment. But they are not considered essential in the mainstream education system and are looked down upon.

Benefits of Availing Education from ITIs, Polytechnics and Skilling Centres

The mainstream education system does not provide all the necessary skills needed to survive in the professional world. Either a student has to start as an intern and build his/her way up or look for completely different professional fields. It will indeed benefit students a lot if they pursue professional skill development courses from ITIs, polytechnics and other skilling centres.

Therefore, let us look at all the benefits of learning from ITIs, polytechnics and skilling centres and why they are considered visionary projects.

Shorter duration of curriculum

If you wish to work right after you have finished your secondary studies and do not wish to graduate, ITIs and polytechnics can help you. The professional courses provided by these institutes are primarily focused on developing professional skills. These courses offered have a shorter duration than other courses. But shorter duration does not mean that they do not teach you the required skills.

Better exposure to the professional world

These institutes are more focused on giving students practical knowledge. Additionally, they provide better exposure to the professional world and make students aware of all the challenges they might face while working.

It has been observed that students of these institutes have more detailed knowledge than other graduates. Mainstream institutes always look to process knowledge first and then teach application. However, skilling centres focus on both simultaneously.

No pressure of grading system

In the mainstream education system, students value grades more than their knowledge. It is a fact that has been degrading the education system for a long time now. However, in these skilling centres, students only need to pass the practical tests and written examinations.

Affordability

The world believes that ITI and polytechnic institutes are only meant for the weaker section of a country with resource constraints. But it is a myth. Generally, graduate courses have higher fees, whereas IITs and polytechnics have reasonable course fees.

Flexibility in the learning process

These institutes' flexible learning and course structure make it very easy for students to learn according to their timestamps. They provide students with the opportunity to work on projects and learn along with the development process.

Easy transition from one field to the other

Many skill centres have online courses that allow students to enrol in courses different from their core areas of expertise. Job seekers avail of courses from these institutes to learn new skills. This helps them in transitioning from one stream to another easily. During the pandemic, many recruiters started preferring skills-driven candidates. And the online modules of these institutes helped students develop skills valued in the professional industry.

Better job opportunities

Almost every industry wants to recruit candidates who have specific skills. And they don't have to spend time on an employee teaching him/her the skills they require. Even an entry-level job requires candidates to have a particular skill set to be considered suitable for the job. These skilling centres and vocational institutes help job seekers learn these skills and have better job opportunities.

Develop a skilled workforce

These vocational institutes help enhance the standard of skilled workforce in the country. The focus that we give to mainstream education has made students less skilled in professional/vocational knowledge. And they are more and more worried about grades. This needs to change if the country has to move towards better employment and economic growth.

Conclusion

All in all, ITIs, polytechnics and skilling centres are visionary projects in the skill education system. There are several vocational training institutes across India that help students develop professional skills and get better employment opportunities. Skilled professionals help in increasing the employment rate of the country, thereby boosting the economy. Therefore, it is very important to understand the role that these vocational and skilling centres play in creating a skilled workforce. They need to be fully recognized for their stupendous contribution to the Indian education system.