Bhartiya Skill Development University Aims at Uplifting Careers of Youth in Kochi

KOCHI:
Bhartiya Skill Development University (BSDU) Jaipur today organized a conference in Kochi to promote and brief about skill development and its requirement in India.

At the conference, the university’s Registrar, Prof. Achintya Choudhury and the university’s Principal of Computing Skills, Prof. Anurag talked about how skill based courses benefit youth looking for jobs and professional fields to settle in. The conference was held with a purpose of promoting skill development in not just Kochi but all of Kerala, where despite getting all required education, youth are still looking for jobs. According to Census 2011, Kerala has a literacy of 94%, highest in the country.

The state has 612 ITIs and 59 Polytechnics. BSDU is helping other state governments in establishing skill universities and replicating its unique model of skill development in other states. BSDU helps the youth to get skills education, training and get jobs in different manufacturing fields.

Prof. Achintya Choudhury, Registrar, BSDU says, “Kerala has a number of skill development programs, such as ASAP (Additional Skill Acquisition Program) and ASEP (Additional Skill Enhancement Program), to help train the state’s youth. The youth of Kerala have the required education, what they require now is skills training.

Trained staff is the desire of every organization. We at BSDU have created training modules that enable the students to go through hands-on-training in various skill programs and enhance employability. We make our students industry ready with flexible entry and exit options.

Prof. Anurag, Principal, Computing Skills, BSDU, says, “Skill degrees like B.Voc. and M.Voc. would prove to be a boon for every graduate, paving a right career path. In addition to general education content, these graduates have a strong knowledge on hands-on-skills and are becoming capable of resolving challenges pertaining to industrial exposure. Employability of such talent will be much wider leading to lower unemployment rate in the country”.

The issue in our country is that there are a high number of institutes to educate people, but not many centers to give them practical training. There is lack of on-job-training, which gives students practice and enhanced knowledge of working on machines with exposure to industrial environment. BSDU also provides training on communication skills and soft skills. Moreover, industry is currently looking for students trained in skills with working on latest machines.

Prof. Anurag says, “BSDU is ready to provide the best advice and support with our ‘Swiss-dual-education- system’ to eradicate the skill gap prevailing in today’s youth. We have recently extended the support to some state governments including the Government of Rajasthan.”

According to India Skills Report 2019 by WheeBox, the overall employability in India is 47.38% and the Indian workforce consists of 473 million people. The employability in ITI sector is 29.46% and in Polytechnic sector the employability is 32.67%. Male employability in the country is 47.39% whereas the female employability is 45.6%. The organized workforce in India, however, is only 8%. Rajasthan has the fourth highest employability in the country and is the 7th and 6th highest in male and female employability respectively. The state is the 6th most preferred for work among all states of the country.

BSDU offers industry internship in every alternate semester, where the student gets an opportunity to additionally get industrial exposure. BSDU offers an opportunity for every student to ‘Earn while they learn’ where the on the job training offered gives them an opportunity to earn a stipend ranging between Rs. 7000 to Rs. 15000 per month during their internship. BSDU is the first University that offers multiple entry and exit points, where the student has the flexibility of returning to his/her program where he/she had left while being offered a job in the industry or if he/she is placed. The university offers scholarships with 100% waiver on tuition fees for girl students scoring over 75% and boy students scoring over 80%. The university offers special scholarships for those students whose fathers have been martyred in the service of the nation.

BSDU has many industry collaborations and has been associated with these organizations which offer industry internship offering industry exposure to its students. Some of the Industry leaders where students avail the training are Daikin, Mahindra, Apex Hospitals, Cadd Centre, Arden, Sabal Bharat, Rigel, ICICI Bank, IDBI Bank, Lupin, ITC, Pepsico, LG, L&T, Nestle and Pfizer.

BSDU has signed MoUs for establishing Centers of Excellence (CoEs) the purpose which is to impart specific skills training relevant to an industry and help in upgradation of skills of employees that will help them to improvise on industrial production. Daikin India is the First Japanese Company to sign an MoU with BSDU and establish a CoE at the University. BSDU has also created its own Fabrication Laboratory in collaboration with ‘FabLab’ where students learn processes such as laser sintering process, components, machine & accessories, Data Preparation demo using Magics, Supports, slicing, Part screening methodology introduction, Discussion of Pain Point & AM Potential Value, and Screening & evaluation of parts. BSDU frequently organises workshops to nurture creativity and innovation in youth.

BSDU has signed around 65 MoUs in skills sector with companies and educational institutions. An MoU has been signed with Govt of Rajasthan for Establishing a Skill Development University based on the Swiss Dual Model of Skills Education. Likewise, it has signed a MoU with Govt of Rajasthan & Photonic International Pte. Ltd, Singapore for Collaboration and Support for Establishing Photonics Training and Research Centre. The University has entered into collaboration with Institute of Sustainable Communities, USA in Skill Development, Training, Placement, R&D and Related Services, with Rajasthan Technical University, Kota, The Employers’ Association of Rajasthan and Bhardwaj Foundation, FLEECA, Jaipur for Skill Development; outcome-based trainings, placement, R&D and related Services. Companies with which BSDU has signed MoUs, offer students of the university internships, trainings and job opportunities.