Devaraju is an air conditioner mechanic in the Puducherry Electricity Department with several years of experience under his belt. While it was an electrician’s course that he studied at the Industrial Training Institute, his on-field experience has made him an AC mechanic as good as they come. Thus far, the lack of an ‘official’ qualification would stand in his way of career progression. Now, many like him have renewed hope with the countrywide implementation of the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) in the coming years.
The NSQF organises qualification according to a series of levels of knowledge, skill and aptitude. It has been defined as a nationally integrated education and competency-based skill framework. It is designed to enable the beneficiary to acquire the desired competency level, transit to the job market, and return at the required time to acquire skills to further upgrade his or her competencies. The NSQF is being implemented throughout India by the National Skill Development Agency (NSDA) under the Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
On Wednesday, the Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in association with the Puducherry Labour Department organised a one day consultative workshop on implementation of NSQF in Puducherry. Along with other States and Union Territories, the NSQF is expected to be rolled out in Puducherry in 2016.
The workshop was led by Tuhina Chatterjee, resource person from NSDA. “The NSQF is intended to establish uniformity across training programmes in India. With a recognised certification, it will also bring about mobility in employment,” said Ms. Chatterjee. It will bridge the gaps between academic curriculum and skills, she said.
Recognition to competence
R. Sarangaraju, Director, Puducherry Skill Development Society (umbrella organisation for various skill development activities in the Union Territory) said, “The NSQF is definitely beneficial. Earlier, people who passed out of ITIs did not have access to upgrade their skills. A wireman who has passed out of an ITI has competence that outshines the official qualification on paper. However, getting a promotion in his case will be slow and he will only reach the post of a line inspector at maximum.”
Experience and competence was not given due weightage, he said. “Earlier, skills remained unrecognised by the government,” said Mr. Sarangaraju. “With such a framework, the chances of a person reaching the top level posts in government departments are now better. This will standardise qualifications across different cities,” added Mr. Sarangaraju.
Ms. Chatterjee said, “The NSQF is aimed at making skills training aspirational as well. There is a negative perception that skills training is taken by up people who are not good enough. The NSQF will aim to bring quality and credibility to skills training.”
The workshops which are being held in different places in India collect valuable feedback and looks at State-specific concerns. The workshop here was inaugurated by Labour Minister P. Rajavelu, and was attended by around 80 staff members from all wings of the Labour Department.
With a recognised certification, NSQF to bring about mobility in employment
