Skill development is the process of

• Identifying your skill gaps
• Developing and honing those skills

It is important because skills determine the ability to execute plans effectively and gain something every time you hit the floor. But what is even more important than picking the skill gaps is realizing your own skills. You can never think of developing or working on your skills if you are unaware of their mere existence within you.

And once you do know what’s inside you, you can think of many ways to let that bug out and give it wings to fly. Talent is what you have naturally, but skill is developed only by hours and hours of beating on your craft.

Why Skill Development for students?

Skill is like a tool, a tool that enhances your output as well as saves your time. So it is always a win-win situation for someone who is strong and sound with their skills. Take for instance, leadership. Leadership was considered to be a trait which could only be inherited and not developed over time. But with India’s rapid growth in recent years, driven by the new age industries, need for skill has overpowered the need for talent.

Skill development for students, need of the hour:

In the wake of the changing economic environment, it is necessary to focus on inculcating and advancing the skill sets of the young population of the country.

India lags far behind in imparting skill training as compared to other countries. Reports indicate that only 10% of the total workforce in the country receives some kind of skill training (2% with formal training and 8% with informal training). Further, 80% of the entrants into the workforce do not have the opportunity for skill training.

The statistics very clearly show that skill development should be the top most priority in order to ensure quality enrollment of the youth at entry level.

Initiative by the Government for skill development for students:

PMKVY: A franchise by the central government-

• Duration-4 Years (2016-2020)
• Social Target- The new phase will have a target of skill development of 1 crore youth over a period of 4 years.
• Budget- 12000 crore: It highlights the importance and priority Government is giving for resource mobilization for the success of Skill India Mission. This will further augment the country’s position in becoming the Skill Capital of the World.
• Coverage- Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra (Model Skill Centres) will be established in each district of the country to ensure inclusiveness and to make skill development more aspiring.
• Implementation- The implementation of the scheme has been entrusted to National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). State Governments and State Skill Development Missions (SSDM) will also be involved for implementation of one fourth of both the financial and social targets.

However, we also need in-built programs developed and run by educational institutes to empower skill development for students. This way we can make students mould and bolster their skill set as part of their curriculum and make it interesting for them at the same time.

These programs should focus on imparting the following skill development for students:

• Leadership
• Digital Literacy
• Communication
• Emotional Intelligence
• Entrepreneurship
• Global Citizenship
• Problem Solving and team work