Redefining Employability Skill Training in India
As a non-profit organization, we work alongside students, educators, and communities to transform education into meaningful career opportunities. We aim to equip young people with the skills and exposure they need to pursue rewarding careers of their choice. To achieve this, we collaborate closely with government bodies and local partners, reaching students across India and helping them turn potential into opportunity.
This blog shares our experiences and highlights the collaborative efforts that enable us to make a difference in the lives of young adults. Read ahead to discover more about our journey and the initiatives shaping brighter futures for the youth we serve.
Collaborating for Change in Uttar Pradesh
In 2017, after years of successfully running 21st-century skills programs on government campuses and building a reputation, we were invited to collaborate with the Directorate of Training and Employment in Uttar Pradesh to pilot a program on employability skills.This collaboration marked a significant milestone for us, leading to our appointment as a council member for the National Instructional Media Institute (NIMI) and the Central Staff Training and Research Institute (CSTARI) in 2019.
In this role, we worked alongside Quest Alliance and Tata Strive and co-created student and trainer handbooks on employability skills. These resources were later prescribed for all the ITIs in India by the government and have become crucial tools for enhancing the employability skills training, helping students navigate the job market.
Expanding to Haryana for Lasting Change
Another significant milestone for us in 2017 was expanding our operations to Haryana, one of India’s wealthiest states but one facing substantial youth employment challenges. Despite state-led programs like the Haryana Skill Development Mission (HSDM) and Youth Employability Services addressing skill gaps, we saw the need for more holistic, sustainable interventions to prepare young people for long-term success in a rapidly changing job market.
Introducing New Opportunities in Haryana’s ITIs
In collaboration with district administrations, we launched an initiative focused on enhancing employability for students in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and government colleges. Through one-on-one counseling, intensive boot camps, and hands-on internships, participants gained essential 21st-century skills while refining their technical expertise and confidence.
This approach aimed to bridge the gap between education and employment, offering young people the tools and experiences they needed to build meaningful careers.
Training Educators to Enhance Employability Skills
To ensure lasting impact, we turned our attention to the facilitators and conducted capacity-building workshops for 54 Employability Skills Instructors (ESIs) across Haryana. These workshops emphasized experiential learning and alignment with the updated NCVT curriculum. Additionally, we trained 45 Job Assistance Placement Officers (JAPOs) to strengthen industry engagement and support practical placement efforts.
These initiatives highlighted the critical role ESIs play in preparing students for today’s job market. Our advocacy for hiring full-time ESIs across Haryana’s ITIs came to fruition in 2022, with 135 ESIs recruited to provide ongoing support to students, significantly enhancing employability training across the state.
Connecting Education with Real-World Careers
As employability skills gained prominence, organizations increasingly recognized the value of ESIs in ITIs. To streamline efforts, we collaborated across departments. In late 2021, a new opportunity arose when we signed an MoU with the Skill Development & Industrial Training Department (SDIT) of Haryana to enhance the implementation of the Dual System of Training (DST).
Seizing this chance to strengthen on-the-job training and industry connections, we deployed our Haryana team to support the DST rollout beginning in April 2022. This ongoing collaboration is helping students enhance their practical skills and job preparedness, and we are excited to see how it will enable them to create and discover more opportunities.
Building an Inclusive Future of Opportunities
As we continue to make strides in enhancing employability skills, our focus remains on collective progress rather than individual recognition. Our mission is to recognize and nurture the potential in each student and help them start rewarding careers of their choice. We aim to bridge the gap between education and employment through interactive workshops, activity-based boot camps, on-the-job training, and more.
While the road ahead is long, we believe that by collaborating with key departments, educators, and organizations, we can integrate employability skills into education for all young adults. As the workforce evolves, we remain committed to adapting and learning alongside the students we serve.
Together, we aim to build a future where every student has access to meaningful career opportunities. We invite you to join us in this effort—not just as supporters, but as active participants in shaping a brighter, more inclusive future for India’s youth.