Delhi Education Minister Manish Sisodia on Wednesday said there is so much emphasis on marks at the 10+2 level and getting into good universities that students are not told about or given the option to pursue skill-based courses.
“Skill courses are the answer to India’s poverty and unemployment problem. Even PhD holders do not find jobs easily today but people with specialised skills earn a living from a young age and go on to bring a change by developing new skills,” he said.
Mr. Sisodia was addressing students at the orientation programme of the World Class Skill Centre (WCSC), an initiative by the government that imparts practical skill courses.
The WCSC has become popular with students as it was able to offer placements opportunities to most of them in the first five years of its existence.
“WCSC students are the real ambassadors of skill courses as they have been placed well after undergoing practical training and not just theoretical training,” said Mr. Sisodia, asking students to spread the word that skill courses are a viable first option after 10+2 and to not a fallback option as perceived.
Change in mindset
“A misconception prevails in our mindset that skill means carpenters or electricians. This needs to change. There are several skills that can be taught professionally. The students should tell the world how their life transformed after they honed a professional skill,” the Minister added.
The Centre currently boasts four courses — Hospitality Operations, Retail Services, Finance Executive, and Digital Marketing & Web Development.
Technical Education Secretary Devinder Singh Nijjer said another 25 WCSCs in various other need-based disciplines will be set up across Delhi. Efforts are on to start at least three of these before the end of the year.
