SKILL DEVELOPMENT FOR ENHANCING EMPLOYABILITY

The second keynote address was delivered by Dr. Jurgen Wuttke, Counsellor, Head of Social and Labor Affairs, Vocational Education and Training, German Embassy. Dr. Wuttke exemplified Mr. Barack Obama as a role model for skill development policies. He shared the German model of imparting skills to the workers and equated it to the Venus of learning. The essence of his address was that the Germans realized during the industrial revolution and the world war that the productivity of a company is through its employees. The imparting of skills is essential, but in equal measure, the qualities of responsibility and accountability must be instilled to them.

Dr. Vinnie Johari, Director Education Advocacy, Microsoft, added the perspective of technology in skill development while addressing the Roundtable. In her address, she emphasized the rapid technological changes in the past few decades, resulting in new business models and client needs, necessitating new forms of skills needed. She also maintained that the role of industry in the process of accreditation and certification of the skills of a person goes a long way in employer’s acceptance.

The session was followed by the release of an e-book on soft skills by Dr. Aurobindo, Associate Director.

Mr. Dilip Chenoy, CEO and MD, National Skills Development Corporation, delivered his 15th address to the PHD Chamber and deliberated on the global skill gap and its effects on employability. He shared his concerns on the aspirations of the youth versus the expectations of the industry and the lesser discussed but equally important issue of the dropouts of the education system. He informed the audience that a staggering 27 million students drop out of the undergraduate level every year due to various reasons. It needs to be addressed in the skill development program. During his address, he also raised the problem faced by the industry which loses a significant number of skilled people after investing a good amount of money and time for imparting the skills.

Last of all invited speakers, Mr. A.K Jha, IEC Director General, NIESBUD Government of India, spoke at length about how entrepreneurial ventures may help in employment scenario. He shared valuable knowledge regarding the essential traits of an entrepreneur and the steps needed to run a successful venture.

Mr. Tahsin Zahid, Chairman, Skill Development Committee, PHD Chamber, conveyed vote of thanks to all the speakers and the participants at the end of the keynote addresses. He summarized the discussions and urged the industry, academia and the skill development agencies to work together to take on the challenges posed by the problem of unemployment.

The second roundtable session was based on Group Discussions on various allied topics, and participants were supposed to choose any one group. Dr. Ritu Soryan choose the group discussing Health Care. The group included eminent academicians from Delhi University, NGOs in medical health care, participants from Sharda University and others. The session was chaired by Mr. Mehernosh Bazun Dittia, Chairman and Founding Director, Lighthouse Training. The session had lively and interesting discussion on how to create necessary skilled workforce needed in healthcare industry overcoming the challenges. They discussed the academic and industry perspectives and a summary of the recommendations was prepared to be sent to the government.

The program ended with high tea and a networking session for the participants.