INDIA SKILLS COMPETITION - 2016

India Skills is an initiative of the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. NSDC, has organized its first national level competition: India Skills 2016 from 15th - 17th July 2016 at Hall no 14, Pragati Maidan, Delhi The event was inaugurated by honorable President of India Sh. Pranab Mukherjee on 15th July 2016 on the occasion of world’s youth skills day.

Ms. Nisha Bhatt, Assistant Professor (ME) from Dronacharya Group of Institutions, Greater Noida attended the program on 16th July 2016.

The objective of the program were:

1. Promulgate skills in the society and motivate the youth to pursue vocational education.

2. Champion skills and learning for work through local, regional, national and international skills competition and contribute to the society.

3. Invite sponsorships to organize the local, regional, national and international skills competitions and also host international competitions.

4. Establish links and a long-term association with the WSI secretariat along with development of cooperation with the Government of India, state Governments, registered vocational skills training and awarding bodies.

A Large number of student’s team who won the regional level competition has participated in the event. The competition was organized in technical and non - technical categories. The winners of the India Skills Competition will qualify for the Pre National Competitions. After the pre-national competitions, the candidates will undergo training for 5 - 6 months, before they compete at the final competition. The winner at the final competition will represent India at the World Skills International competition in Abu Dhabi in October 2017.

The following stalls displayed at India skills competition attracted visitor’s attention:

Prototype Modeling: In many product development organizations, prototyping specialists are employed. These are individuals with specialized training and skills in general fabrication techniques that can help bridge theoretical designs and fabrication of prototypes. In prototype modeling skill, engineering students from different regions of India had participated in regional level competition and only 3 teams were selected for India skills competition. Their task was to design, create, test and modify the prototype. The Toyota Company has sponsored the prototype modeling category in India skills competitions. Winners will be provided with extensive one month training so that they can take part in world level competition. Moreover selected students will be eligible for six months internship program sponsored by Toyota.

Mechatronics: Mechatronics technicians build automated systems for industry. Mechatronics involves mechanics, electronics, and pneumatics and computer technology. The computer technology element covers information technology applications, programmable machine control systems, and technology which enable communication between machines, equipment and people. In the mechatronics section, there were team of two students and total four teams were selected for competition. Under this category, the competition was sponsored by FESTO. A set of four modular production systems was provided to participants. Their task was to connect different parts of modular production system and make an assembly line.

Mobile Robotics: The Mobile robotics category was sponsored by MIT Academy of Engineering, Pune. The competition was to build a line follower mobile robot which is capable of lifting blocks and placing these on a desired place. Four teams that were selected from regional round, were competing in India‘s skill competition.

Autobody repairers: Autobody repairers realign both the structure and the paneling of both light and heavy good vehicles after they have been involved in collisions. An autobody repairer needs to be familiar with mechanical components and their function as well as the specific and often complex safety restraint systems (SRS) fitted to modern vehicles. The autobody repairer returns the vehicle to a condition where it ready for refinishing by a car painter. 3 teams participated in this category were provided with dent pulling system sponsored by Mahindra Rise.

Bricklaying: Bricklaying is closely associated with other parts of the construction industry, and with the many products that support it, normally for commercial purposes. A bricklayer generally works on commercial and residential projects. There is a direct relationship between the nature and quality of the product required and the payment made by the customer. Therefore the bricklayer has a continuing responsibility to work professionally in order to meet the requirements of the customer and thus maintain and grow the business. This category at skills competition was sponsored by Autodesk.

Automobile Technology: The modern Light Vehicle Automobile Technician is likely to be employed in a workshop that is closely associated with one major manufacturer of light vehicles. Their expertise may be greatest with that manufacturer’s vehicles; however, depending on the situation and range of services offered by the workshop, they may also handle other manufacturers’ vehicles. Automobile Technicians also work in garages and workshops that are not associated with particular manufacturers. This competition was organized to provide a national level platform to automobile technicians. This category was sponsored by Maruti Suzuki.

Some Glimpses: