The construction industry offers a lot of chances. However, the number of youngsters interested in it is very less.The strength of Kerala has been its human resources. Other than good education and a hard working nature, Keralites can adjust to any situation. However, the people in the state need to develop skills that are needed for the modern times. It is not easy to find expertise in skilled labour and this situation is expected to continue.
The fact that the state gives more importance to professional courses rather than job-oriented courses is a reason for this. Even though the state achieved 100 per cent literacy, it has not been able to develop skills.
There is a huge difference now in what youngsters want to achieve and where there are openings. For example the construction industry offers a lot of chances. However, the number of youngsters interested in it is very less. On the other hand, youngsters are interested in IT, banking, Finance, Engineering and so on. In the state, the number of jobs available in the 2012-22 period would be short by 2.7 lakhs. While demand would increase in specialised-skilled jobs by 34 per cent, semi-skilled categories would see a drop in demand of 38 per cent. The numbers are of course amenable to change because the nature of jobs changes every five years.
Today, if needed, a guard can also perform the role of a receptionist. Sectors such as knowledge management and analytics would need people who can perform various roles. The fact that many people leave to neighbouring states also increases demand for skill. At the same time however, semi-skilled workers get a chance to develop their skills and operate as skilled technicians.
The surge in the use of technology has increased the need to acquire new skills or improve existing ones. This is particularly so in the manufacturing sector.
Just as Kerala prepared itself for the literacy campaign, it is time that the state also started a similar campaign for skill development. Skill development needs to happen during education and new areas of interest that applies to the younger generation need to be identified.
The ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship has a clear idea of the programmes that need to be implemented in Kerala. The national skill development corporation has 178 centres in the state and so far about 49,253 people have been trained for skill development. About a third of them have also found jobs.
The 'Kaushal Vikas Yojana' programme has already trained about 9441 people. The programme is partnering with the National Skill Qualification Framework.'
The role of ITIs in the development of skill cannot be overlooked and there are efforts to modernise the ITIs and start Multi-skill training institutes and Model Skill Centres. Efforts are also being made to select more people to impart training for skill development. The ministry, in association with NSDC, is to increase awareness among the young about skill development. People who develop their skills thus can soon become competent in the international arena.
While it is important to provide skills, it is also necessary to ensure that people are also given the jobs they desire. For this, the state, centre and industrial houses are to collaborate to give optimum chances to those who have updated their skills.
(The author is the minister of state for skill development and entrepreneurship, independent charge. The views expressed are personal.)
