Bengaluru, December 5, 2024: In a significant step towards preparing India’s youth for the future of work, more than 16,000 students from 141 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in the Mysuru and Belagavi regions are set to gain job-ready skills and hands-on industry experience. By equipping them with employability skills and exposure to the world of work, they will get better access to on the job training and placement opportunities. This exposure will bridge the gap between industry and academia by equipping students with 21st-century skills.
They will also have guest lecturers from the industry facilitating sessions on job readiness, assuring learners a smooth school-to-work transition. The upcoming activities are part of a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Department of Industrial Training and Employment (DITE) and the non-profit organization Quest Alliance. The non-profit organization also facilitates the Future Right Skills Network which also includes Accenture, Cisco, JP Morgan and SAP Labs India, which works toward empowering learners with 21st-century skills. The MoU was exchanged on Wednesday in the presence of Mr Sharan Prakash Patil, Minister of Medical Education and Skill Development,
The collaboration will mainly focus on upskilling Employability Skills (ES) trainers to improve facilitation through blended learning modules covering English communication, digital skills, diversity and inclusion, career development and goal setting and work readiness among others.
Students engage in a self-directed learning process through the Quest App and the Skill India Digital Platform (SIDH), complemented by in-person sessions led by Employability Skills (ES) trainers. These trainers, equipped by Quest Alliance, receive training in facilitation skills and have access to facilitation manuals to guide delivery and activities, such as industry engagement. This is a part of the revised ES curriculum that was developed by Quest Alliance.
Mr Sharan Prakash Patil, Minister of Medical Education and Skill Development said, “Vocational training needs to keep in pace with the technological demands of the industry. To build a skilled workforce, we need to empower young people in government ITIs with employability skills.”
By the end of the three years, the ITI graduates can effectively become professionals who can confidently navigate the world of work and make informed decisions around their career aspirations
Elaborating upon the scope of work in the MoU, Nikita Bengani, Director, Youth Program, Quest Alliance said that this intervention would help students develop thriving careers. “Over the next three years, students in government ITIs in the Mysuru and Belagavi regions will have enhanced access to blended learning modules for employability skills training, well-equipped trainers, and placement officers. Karnataka is where we first began our journey of working with ITIs over a decade ago, and we are excited to continue strengthening our work in these two regions. Another highlight of this intervention is the increased industry engagement, which will help students develop thriving careers.”
Harish Krishnan, Managing Director & Chief Policy Officer, CISCO India & SAARC, said that this intervention would provide Ed-Tech solutions for enhanced learning. “Learners in ITIs will benefit from access to digital content, improving their skills and employability. Furthermore, we also believe that initiatives like hosting industry round tables to facilitate meaningful dialogues between employers and the institution will create stronger synergies, bridging the gap between the industry and academia.”