“Need for Skill Development linked to Higher Education for Career progression and growth”

Pravesh Dudani, Chancellor & Founder, Medhavi Skill University writes about the need for updated and new-age skill integrated higher education is an essential prerequisite for career aspirants to stay competitive in the 21st century economy…

In today's rapidly evolving professional landscape, the traditional model of higher education is undergoing a paradigm shift. Advancements in technology, changing industry dynamics, the rise of automation, globalization, and technological advancements has led to a growing demand for a more agile, skilled and adaptable workforce capable of navigating complex challenges and seize emerging opportunities. At this juncture, the need for updated and new-age skill integrated higher education is an essential prerequisite for career aspirants to stay competitive in the 21st century economy. This means that the importance of practical and relevant skill-based education is more critical than ever. The New Education Policy (NEP) introduced by the Government of India in 2020 was a significant step in the direction of overhauling the country's education system, aimed to better prepare students for the world of work. Here are some ways the NEP sought to achieve this:

Holistic and Multidisciplinary Education: The NEP emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach to education, aiming to break down the rigid barriers between academic streams by integrating vocational and skills education into mainstream education aiming to provide students with new-age skills training relevant to specific careers, enhancing their employability. This approach fosters a holistic understanding of various domains and equips students with a broad knowledge base, which is beneficial in navigating interdisciplinary career paths and addressing complex real-world challenges.

A student-friendly flexible curriculum framework: The policy advocates for a flexible curriculum framework, allowing students to choose from a wide range of subjects based on their career aspiration, enabling them to tailor their education to align with their desired career paths, whether in STEM, humanities, arts, or vocational sectors. In the same lines, UGC has rolled out FYUGP - Four Year Under Graduate Programme guidelines to make UG education more inline to the mandates of NEP2020.

Apprenticeships as Hands-on-Learning: One of the most significant attributes of the policy is to encourage the incorporation of internships, apprenticeships, and hands-on experiential learning opportunities into academic programs which benefit students with real-world exposure, practical skills, and industry insights, thereby bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application in their future careers. As per the latest guidelines, a HEI can embed Skills training / Apprenticeships / Internships up to 50% of their UG / PG curriculums.

Technology as an Equalizer: Recognizing the importance of technology in the modern education and its ability to foster personalized learning experiences, NEP underscores its significance and promotes digital inclusion by providing all students, regardless of their background, with access to digital tools and skills. For example, UGC allows for HEIs to impart up to 40% of the course requirements through online mode. Additionally, 40% of the credits can be earned by candidates through MOOCs such as SWAYAM portal / NPTEL offered by Govt of India.

Career Counseling and Mapping: The policy highlights the importance of career mentorship and counseling services to enable students make informed career decisions and higher-education choices. By providing guidance, and exposure to multiple career pathways, students can better align their academic pursuits with their career aspirations.

21st century skill enhancement: Aimed at preparing a global workforce with the skills needed to future-proof their careers, the NEP equip learners to take up foundational skills like effective communication, creativity, problem-solving, collaboration and an ability to ask questions and self-learn, and be resilient team players with high empathy quotient to excel in their chosen careers.

For on ground implementation of the same, the regulatory bodies such as UGC, NCVET & AICTE have rolled out guidelines such as SOP for implementation of National Credit Framework in School Education, Skills Ecosystem and Higher Education, NSQF, NCF, NHEQF which are overarching frameworks thereby enabling seamless transition from Schools to Skills to Higher Education ecosystems. The said SOP discusses in detail how NCrF can be implemented to integrate Skills into Higher Education curricula thereby making it more relevant and outcome oriented.

In conclusion, the need for skill development for career enhancement cannot be overstated in today's dynamic employment landscape. By embracing a mindset of continuous learning and proactively investing in skill acquisition, individuals can not only advance their careers but also thrive amidst uncertainty and change. It is imperative for organizations, educational institutions, and policymakers to collaborate in fostering a culture of lifelong learning and abide by the New Education Policy to ensure the empowerment and success of the workforce in the years to come.