NSN India Interface: Employability Skills: Building a Future-Ready Workforce

Hello readers,

In this edition of NSN India Interface, we focus on the crucial role of employability skills. As industries undergo rapid changes and new technologies emerge, the need for a skilled workforce has never been more pressing. In a rapidly changing world where industries are being reshaped by technology, employability skills are becoming vital for long-term career success. These skills, which encompass both technical expertise and essential soft skills such as problem-solving, communication, and adaptability, ensure individuals can thrive in dynamic job environments. As India's job market continues to evolve, the focus has shifted toward equipping individuals with these crucial abilities, helping them stand out and succeed across various sectors.

Recognizing this need, many initiatives have been launched to integrate employability skills into education and training programs. From revamped ITI curricula to digital platforms offering tailored skill development courses, these efforts aim to bridge the gap between formal education and industry demands, ensuring that today’s workforce is prepared for tomorrow’s challenges.

A variety of new courses are also being introduced to enhance employability skills and address the specific demands of various sectors, ranging from digital marketing and data analytics to soft skills training and technical skills in emerging technologies. These courses are designed to provide practical knowledge and hands-on experience, enabling learners to better align their skill sets with industry expectations. Let's explore these initiatives, insights from industry leaders, and practical tips to boost your employability skills.

The Skill Times is our fortnightly e-magazine featuring thought leadership, the positive impact of skill development, new initiatives in industry-academia collaboration, and more. Click here to subscribe to Skill Times from NSN, our fortnightly e-magazine.

Shri Dharmendra Pradhan unveils a digital version of the Employability Skills Curriculum for ITI students

Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) unveiled the digital version of the Employability Skills Curriculum for students enrolled in India's Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) on April 11th, 2023, at the Future Skills Forum in New Delhi.

The Future Skills Forum - is an initiative of the Future Right Skills Network (FRSN) a collaborative effort by QUEST Alliance, Accenture, Cisco, and J.P. Morgan. To help young people acquire critical skills for the future, it brings together government skill training institutions, civil society organisations, industry, and corporate social responsibility partners.

The digital lessons include financial and digital literacy modules, diversity and inclusion, career development, goal setting up, and entrepreneurship. These are taken from the upgraded ES curriculum, which the MSDE unveiled in September 2022.

These modules will be available to more than 2.5 million learners through the Government of India's Bharat Skills Portal and other platforms.

The curriculum was developed with active industry participation. It contained 12 modules in a bite-sized, gamified format, with each lesson followed by assessments meant to help learners evaluate the depth of their learning. The storytelling approach utilised throughout the modules gives learners relatable examples they may use daily. Using a constructive feedback system ensures that learners receive relevant, timely, and actionable feedback, leading to improved learning outcomes.

Click here to read more...

With the disruption of emerging technologies, the nature of job is changing. So, to cope with the changes and to become a part of the future workforce, it is crucial for ITI students to develop the necessary employability skills. In this video, Dr. Madhuri Dubey is demonstrating the Future Right Skills Network (FRSN) from Quest Alliance which is specially designed to help the ITI students acquire all the necessary employability skills.

MSDE revamps the employability skills curriculum to prepare students for the 21st century

In collaboration with Quest Alliance, National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), and other curricular bodies, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) launched a modified curriculum on employability skills on September 6, 2022. The Future Right Skills Network, a partnership of J.P. Morgan, Quest Alliance, Accenture, and Cisco, is providing support to this endeavour.

The curriculum will provide three key benefits to learners:?

• Developing a self-learning mindset, preparing for a future in a post-pandemic environment, becoming aware of new career opportunities, and acquiring 21st-century skills.
• Updating their knowledge of blended learning models and adapting to modern classrooms can also aid educators.
• Digital versions for blended learning will soon be available, in addition to the physical books containing the updated curriculum that is now being published.

Click here to read more and download the e-book..

5 Ways to enhance employability skills and meet job expectations

• Am I employable?
• What is employability?
• Do I have what it takes to remain employable?
• How do I excel in my job with such competition?
• Who is responsible for me being employable?

These are the few questions every job seeker and working professional must be asking himself or herself, for it takes a skilled person to sustain the pressure of excelling in his or her job.

However, let's look at the current scenario in India and keeping in mind the population of the country and the percentage of people who have undergone skill based education.? It is very important for us understand that skill development based education is the need of the hour and more often than not an answer to all the questions listed above.

Read more...

Understanding Employability Skills

In today's competitive job landscape, possessing the right employability skills is essential for unlocking opportunities and achieving career success. This comprehensive resource explores the vital attributes and skills necessary for the modern workplace, providing insights and tools for job seekers and professionals alike. Click here to know more!

We also have a curated playlist to help you explore more about employability skills and how they can enhance your career prospects.

Access the playlist for more insights on employability skills.

If this content has been helpful to you, please like and share to spread awareness and contribute to the dialogue on advancing skill development in India. Stay inspired, stay creative, and join us again for more insights in our next edition!

This newsletter is brought to you by Divya Sree Saikumar, Content Coordinator, National Skills Network - NSN. You can reach me at [email protected] and visit our website to know more about us: NSN Website.