Skill Training To Pop Up In 200 Community Colleges

There are many different learning options open to you; whether you are currently employed and thinking of going back to work or you just want refreshing or developing your skills can make a big difference to your confidence and can also help you in your future.

Aiming to integrate skills in higher education, government has decided to set up on a pilot basis of 200 community colleges within the existing colleges and polytechnics from the coming academic session.

These colleges shall act as a potent tool for implementation of the National Vocational Education Qualification Framework (NVEQF) as notified last year.

M.M.Pallam Raju, HRD Minister said "Community colleges would offer opportunities for life long learning and bridge courses for level certification as well as movement from one stream to another stream. Industry including business, service, agriculture allied sectors will be associated integrally at all levels of activities in thee colleges".

"Industry will also have representations on the board of studies and board of management of these colleges. Thus, going a long way in resorting industry confidence in competence of the prospective employees", he said.

"The colleges shall offer credit based modular courses to facilitate mobility of learners into the employment market, banking of credit an re-entry into the colleges for skill up-gradation. Also, local community would be given preference in admission in these colleges", he added.

He further said "It will create a win situation for stakeholders, learners, industry an community besides the college. In today's world, the challenge before the industry is availability of skilled manpower. Therefore, integration of skills into higher education for making them relevant to learners is the key to addressing this mismatch and initiatives such as community colleges could help bridge the gap".

Moreover, eight other states have got their programmes approved for 2013-14 session. Also, CBSE is directing private schools to accept the NVEQF to start Vocational education programmes.

How its useful to students? Recruiters report that a large proportion of applicants lack the soft skills essential for the modern workplace. Around 43% of recruiters didn't have enough suitable applicants to fill all their places last year, and they expect a similar situation this year. If you can match your academic achievement with leadership, teamwork and communication skills, there's no doubt that recruiters will be eager to hear from you. It's never too late to develop soft skills so make sure you get involved in activities that will show recruiters what you're made of.