Software and soft skills in Bihar

At first glance they look like cyber cafés with their bustling young boys and girls. But take a closer look and you will find students busy at their computers picking up English language and software skills.

These small centres have popped up across the State Capital in shopping areas and residential colonies as part of the Kushal Yuva Programme (KYP).

The flagship programme of the Bihar government, which was started in October 2016, has nearly 5 lakh registered candidates – it aims to provide English grammar and communication skills and basic computer training to students between the ages of 15-25.

“Bihari youth have all the knowledge, but lag behind those from other States when it comes to interviews as they often don’t know the proper etiquette or confidence in speaking,” pointed out an official.

“I learnt Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint here and have also brushed up on my English speaking,” said 19-year old Manish, who is also pursuing his graduation alongside. He hopes the programme will help him do better when he applies for a job after college.

Some students have also started working as e-learning facilitators, or teachers, under the scheme. In villages across the State, KYP is also attracting young girls who do not get such opportunities.

“The response has been very good…lack of computer infrastructure and English facilities is a big challenge,” said another official, adding that many students then set up computer centres in their own villages as a means of self-employment.

With one of the largest youth populations in the country, and lack of sufficient employment opportunities, Bihar has taken up the task of not only skilling its young workforce but also grooming them for jobs across the country.

Part of the saat nishchay, or seven commitments of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, skilling is a key focus of the State.

Apart from KYP, it is also experimenting with models such as the self-help allowance scheme, where unemployed youth between the ages of 20 and 25, who have passed Class 12, get ₹1,000 per month for two years to help them find a job.

“Sometimes, they need money to travel for an interview or buy new clothes to look smart. This allowance takes care of it. Alternatively, they can use it to set up a business,” explained an official.

The State has a target of skilling one crore candidates by 2020-21. Officials concede they have had a slow start, but stress that they are now catching up.

The Bihar Skill Development Mission (BSDM) is also working on skilling programmes that are more employment-oriented. First is the domain skilling scheme, where the youth can be trained in skills ranging from healthcare to logistics to beauty services.

Sector Skill Councils are also working out courses relevant to the industry, and are training students. At present, more than 3,000 students are undergoing training across the State in 107 courses.

“This is a work in progress and more courses and students will join gradually,” explained an official.

Most students are hopeful of snagging a job. “I have come from Chhapra. I hope to become a part of the healthcare industry. My trainers say that there are a lot of jobs not only in Bihar but across the country,” said Bikram Deo, who is getting trained to become an emergency medical technician. He is hopeful that he will get employed at the hospital where the skill centre is located.

The State is also working on more models for training and employment. Under the Recruit-Train-Deploy (RTD) model, the State is inviting industries and recruiters to give upfront job offers to candidates. They can then tie-up with the State to set up a training centre.

The government has also begun road shows across the country to invite companies to the State.

“The training will be at our expense with the promise that at least 80 per cent of the candidates will be placed with the company,” said DK Singh, Principal Secretary, Labour Resources-cum-Chief Executive Officer, BSDM, during a recent roadshow in Gurgaon.

The other plan is to start job fairs, along with the Centre, to create more jobs.