NSDC: Aiming to harness the demographic dividend

The National Policy on Skill Development aims to skill 150 million people by 2022. To meet this goal, the fund formed the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) in 2008 as a non-profit organisation. NSDC has made great strides towards achieving these goals, thanks to three factors: partnerships, innovation and data analysis.

NSDC has forged partnerships with a variety of stakeholders, including State Governments, industry bodies, companies, training providers, evaluators, non-profits and start-ups.

For example, it is collaborating with Governments in three States to implement vocational training programmes at the school level. In Haryana, the curriculum is based on the standards set by the Sector Skill Councils; trainers and assessors are provided by industry.

New ideas are also tried out to scale up operations and improve the effectiveness of delivery. To assess students in remote locations, certifying agencies use cameras and live transmission. This helps reach students who are far away in a cost-effective way. Also, new initiatives such as student internships are being offered to impart skills.

The effectiveness of these ideas is tracked methodically. Regular audits are done through centre visits and sample calls are made to get feedback on programmes. Corrective action is taken as required.

NSDC also tracks various metrics, such as annual training capacity created, number of operational centres/persons trained/employed, revenue generated and cost per trainee.

To ensure that the courses offered are relevant, research data on the skill gap in industries is collected at the local level.

NSDC is also working toward changing mindsets about technical skills. In part, such skills are looked down upon because of the perceived lack of career prospects; a skilled person may get a job immediately, but the company may see him as a cog in the big wheel rather than someone who can create value.

The push to train youth also faces societal resistance. Experts say the desire for a white-collar job is such that we look down on skill education.

Parents would rather their children get conventional degrees, even if they do not guarantee employment.

Sensing the need for ‘branding’ and making skills attractive, NSDC launched a marketing campaign in February to make skills training “aspirational” among youth with the message: ‘Hunar hai tho kadar hai’ (ability earns respect).

The skill development agency is also engaging with them on the ground, through radio and social media, including Facebook and Twitter.