Sensing opportunities for employment in new emerging trades, the Visvesvaraya Technological University’s National Academy for Skill Development (NASD), Dandeli, is looking to add around nine new courses in 2018. Set to be introduced in a phased manner through the year, some of these courses — ranging from a month to a year — are being introduced in keeping with the times.
For example, a course to prepare skilled staff for car spas, the softer alternative to automobile service centres, is in the offing. Similarly, going by the increased thrust on solar-based projects such as in electricity, another course on offer is in solar equipment repair.
Started in March of 2016, the academy has so far offered two courses: a tourist guide course in partnership with the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation, and an ongoing programme in CNC (computer and numerical control) operations and programming.
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“We are looking to introduce three courses in January, (car body) painting, IOT, and mechatronics. Courses such as industrial electronics, plumbing, and carpentry will be introduced in May or June. Three more, including solar equipment maintenance and service, car spa, and hospitality will be added after that. Infrastructure is still being readied. So, we want to introduce them in a phased manner,” said N. Sanjeev Kumar, Special Officer, NASD.
The eligibility for these courses range from Class 10 to postgraduation. The duration also differs for each course.
While some may take a month, others may take six months to a year to be completed, Mr. Kumar added.
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The main aim of the academy is to fill in the skill gap in the identified sector, officials said, adding that the location of the NASD was also proving to be beneficial in assisting the rural youth with training and employment.
Skill training for engineering students?
VTU’s Skill Development Centre in Bengaluru is looking at introducing skill training for existing engineering students. S.J. Amalan, Director, Skill Development, Visvesvaraya Technological University, told The Hindu that the varsity was preparing a postgraduate diploma in skills for its students.
They will be given skill training outside the curriculum and awarded the diploma at the end of the modules and after completion of their engineering course.
Awaiting the required approvals from the university’s bodies, the plan intends to impart 120-hour modules of 15 to 20 skills in streams such as civil, mechanical, electrical, electronics engineering, information technology, and business management and aims to address the issue of “unemployable engineers” that has been a concern across the country.