Q.7 “Earn while you learn’ scheme needs to be strengthened to make vocational education and skill training meaningful.” Comment.

Model Answer:

Introduction

The 'Earn while you learn' scheme is designed to provide students with opportunities to gain practical work experience while earning an income. This initiative aims to integrate vocational education and skill training with real-world work environments, thereby enhancing employability.

Body

Vocational education and skill training are crucial for India, given its demographic dividend. According to the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), India needs to employ 400 million people by 2022 to meet the demands of a growing economy. However, the current status of vocational education in India is inadequate. As per the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2018-19, only 2.4% of the workforce has formal vocational training, highlighting a significant gap.

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Strengthening the 'Earn while you learn' scheme is essential to make vocational education and skill training meaningful. Currently, many vocational programs lack industry relevance and practical exposure. For instance, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) reported that only 10% of trained individuals found employment in 2019-20, indicating a mismatch between training and industry needs.

To strengthen the scheme:

  • Industry Collaboration: Partner with industries to design curriculum and provide internships. For example, Germany's dual education system, which combines classroom learning with on-the-job training, has been highly successful.
  • Incentives for Employers: Provide tax benefits and subsidies to companies that participate in the scheme, encouraging them to hire and train students.
  • Quality Assurance: Establish robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure the quality of training programs.
  • Awareness Campaigns: Increase awareness about the benefits of vocational training among students and parents to change societal perceptions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, vocational education and skill training are vital for India's economic growth and employment generation. Strengthening the 'Earn while you learn' scheme through industry collaboration, incentives, quality assurance, and awareness campaigns can make vocational education more relevant and effective. This will not only enhance employability but also contribute to the nation's development.

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