Why Skill Development must be incorporated with Higher Education ?

In school days I vividly remember going to my Father's office during festivals. I reminisce those days. I was very fascinated by his office and I would long for opportunities to go to his office. Considering my fascination he would often tell me if you would like to work in these offices, you need to really work hard and score exceptionally well. I would often nod and say Yes! But I made some quick observations every time I went to his office or any office, even my school office. I knew education, degrees and scoring exceptionally well is crucial but there is something more to it.

I realized that there is a skill set one needs to learn and be familiar with. In my school days, I planned to work on my communication skills by reading, enhancing my vocabulary and not leaving a single opportunity to deliver speeches or presentations. I would often wonder How job interviews are taken?
How will I be able to answer? What will make me different from others?

Today, I consider myself fortunate that I worked hard and did internships and volunteered which has given me an edge and I have definitely emerged confident. However, there are many students who are passionate about literature, fashion, design, Linguistic, etc and are unaware of many courses. They generally get into bachelor's undergraduate program and find themselves directionless. Not all but most of them.

Bachelor's Undergraduate Programmes like BA and BCom have soft skill subjects like Business Communication and Foundation Course which no one really bothers. The undergraduate students already have too much on their plate and these skill development subjects are often ignored by most of the students. I personally never bothered about these subjects.

My point is many of us take up courses parallel with our Undergraduate degree. But there is a dire need for a proper framework of a Skill Development Programme where we just don't rote learn concepts on Business communication, etc but actually, go out experiment and experience. There is a need to reform the present framework to make Graduate Students employable because we have a hugely competitive world and learning certain skills can definitely boost the confidence of students.

We live in a VUCA world ( Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity ) where change is the only constant, in many sectors technology, has replaced manpower possing a considerable challenge to the youth to constantly upgrade themselves. India will be the youngest country by the year 2020 with 64 percent of its population in working age group. We are set to experience a dynamic transformation with benefits however these benefits will be tempered with social and spatial inequalities.

There are many skill development programmes launched by Governmentment and several NGO's but it would be beneficial for the students if few skill development programmes are incorporated into the education according to the required skills essential for employment so maximum students can reap the benefit and emerge confident and employable.

It is high time that the Government evaluate syllabus and invest in educating youth. But we cannot wait until Government takes the necessary steps. We all have to do our bit.  Indra Nooyi the CEO and President of Pepsico says "Greatness comes by helping others rise." Here are few skills that one can master it can definitely give you a base to do further research to upgrade oneself with the required skills.

The following skills are what I practiced I hope it gives you a base to do your further research if you are looking for a specific skill.

1. Communication Skills - To enhance one's communication skills one must read and enhance one's vocabulary by reading and learning a new word every day.
Books for enhancing vocabulary: Word Power Made it easy by Norman Levis.
Click on the link to order it online

https://www.amazon.in/Word-Power-Made-Norman-Lewis/dp/8183071007/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1514292221&sr=8-1&keywords=word+power+made+in+easy

Apps: English Dictionary Offline.

2.  In order to develop Critical Thinking/ Teamwork/ Time Management/ Leadership Skills, it is important to start with trying every day to be a part of class discussions and gradually volunteer with class activities and gradually in college festivals and in summer vacations, one can look for volunteering opportunities in NGO's.

3. One can also enroll in learning foreign languages while pursuing their undergraduate program simultaneously. The University of Mumbai offers Foreign Language courses which are scheduled on weekends at Mumbai University Fort Campus.

4. It is important to update with current affairs.

App: In shorts

5. Please visit Coursera Website to look for several online courses as per your interest.

https://www.coursera.org/


To live up to the challenges of this volatile world the strength of a nation depends on its highly intellectual and skillful citizens which enables the nation to envision vision and mission. A quality human capital is a product of well-designed quality education system. Hence, it is crucial to incorporate skill development programmes with the higher education.


I hope this was helpful and please do give me your feedback in the comments.


Thankyou

YJ Rahul Bagwe