India’s System of Vocational Training & Job Readiness

Concerning India’s System of Vocational Training

It is among the biggest globally, aimed at providing young people and employees with skills relevant to various industries.

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) supervises it, while the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) governs it.

Important Data: India’s Vocational Education Environment

Scale and Reach:

More than 14,000 ITIs throughout India.

Over 127 acknowledged awarding organizations and 68 evaluation agencies under NCVET.

Training is provided through both formal and informal methods, including Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Formal Vocational Training (Ages 15–59): As of 2023, only around 4.1% of people have obtained formal vocational training (an increase from 1.8% in 2017).

Trends in Informal Training: As of 2023, 65.3% of individuals aged 15–59 had not received vocational training, a decrease from 92.6% in 2011.

Hereditary training (abilities inherited within families) increased from 1.45% in 2017 to 11.6% in 2023.

On-the-job training rose from 2.04% in 2017 to 9.3% in 2023.

Self-learning also increased, reaching 7.1% in 2023.

Main Obstacles

Delayed Integration: India implements vocational training solely post-high school. It restricts initial exposure and practical skill enhancement.

Restricted Avenues: Vocational education in India does not provide a definitive path to advanced studies, resulting in a cul-de-sac for numerous learners.

It deters involvement and diminishes its reliability as a potential career option.

Vocational Training Shortage & Low Job Placement: In 2022, just 48% of ITI positions were occupied, with graduate employment rates at 63%, significantly lower than the 80–90% seen in nations such as Germany, Singapore, and Canada.

Subpar Standards and Views: Obsolete curricula, unfilled teaching roles, inadequate oversight, and limited industry involvement have rendered VET unappealing.

Restricted Industry Involvement: Indian ITIs continue to rely on governmental support, whereas international models depend on robust public–private collaborations.

Employer participation — especially from MSMEs — is low, hindering training.

Present Policy Actions

Government Programs:

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY): It provides short-duration courses, occasionally lasting only 10 days.

Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDUGKY): It focuses on the youth in rural areas.

National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS): It promotes training based in the industry.

National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: It seeks to incorporate vocational education from early childhood through Grade 12, bridging the gap between academic and skill-oriented learning. Important changes involve:

Initial engagement with skills such as woodworking, horticulture, and metal fabrication.

Inventories of vocational interests and aptitude assessments to assist in career decisions.

Collaborations with local businesses and ITIs for practical training.

Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship: Focused programs such as:

Modular Employable Skills (MES) aimed at school graduates and employees;

National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) to enhance workplace learning;

Skill laboratories and incubation hubs following the Hub-and-Spoke framework.

Programs such as Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Schemes, the PM Internship Scheme, and ITI Upgradation emphasize formalisation and infrastructure development.

It's essential to emphasize the quality of training.

Path Ahead: Insights from Worldwide Leading Practices

Early Integration: Incorporate vocational training into educational programs, as suggested by the NEP 2020.

Defined Advancement Routes: Apply the National Credit Framework to facilitate transitions between VET and academic pathways.

Industry Alignment: Consistently revise courses according to local labor market needs, enhance training centers, and hire skilled teachers.

Public–Private Collaborations: Motivate private training organizations, engage MSMEs, and utilize CSR funding for skill development projects.

Enhanced Public Investment: Elevate vocational education funding from the present 3% to the ranges observed in developed nations (10–13%).

A new report from the Institute for Competitiveness, released by the Ministry of Skill Development, highlights an ecosystem that is aligned with market demands. It suggests: