Vocational Training in India

Vocational Training in India is being offered by the DGET under the Ministry of Labour and employment. The DGET is the apex organization for development and coordination at national level for the programmes relating to Vocational Training. 

The DGET undertakes Vocational Training through several schemes. The schemes available are:

 Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) – ITI/ITC training

 Apprenticeship Training Scheme

 Craftsmen Instructor Training Scheme

 Advance Vocational Training Scheme

 Women Training

 Research and Staff Training

 Instructional Material Development

 Hi-Tech Training

 North Eastern States

 Modular Employable Skills (MES)

 Centre of Excellence and World Bank Assistance

 Upgradation of ITIs through Public Private Partnership (PPP).

Vocational Training is primarily imparted through Industrial Training Institutes (ITI) and Industrial Training Centres (ITC). The administration of Industrial Training Institutes rests with the State Governments/Union Territories Administrations (as this is a Concurrent Subject as per the Constitution of India). 

Several initiatives have been taken in recent times - such as the introduction of a framework for imparting short-term ‘Modular Employable Skills’, developing ITIs through the PPP route and enhancing their capacity as Centres of Excellence (CoE). There are a total of 6,906 ITIs and ITCs in India with a total seating capacity of 9.53 lakh.

Growing need for Skill Development and Vocational Training: Besides strengthening the ITI/ITC system, there is also a growing need to increase employability through skill development programmes as evidenced by strong market linkages, institute industry coordination, specialised skill development, continuation of learning, etc. This is applicable to all sections of the workforce right from operators/workers to college-qualified students to junior-mid-and senior level executives. Additionally, there is a growing need for special focus on vocational training and skill development. The Government has duly recognised this in the ‘National Skill Development Policy’. The DGET has provided a framework to impart modular skills with focus on need-based-training and acquiring employable skills within a short timeframe (training duration of 3 to 6 months). This is as envisaged by the Modular Employable Skills framework. Private players such as Everonn and Educomp have forayed into the Vocational Training space, and several industries/firms/industry associations have facilitated activity in this area, either directly or indirectly. The demand for Vocational Training is here to stay. This will also fuel the demand for ‘trained’ teachers/trainers.

Growing need for Vocational Education: While Vocational Training would seek to build marketable skills in the workforce, there is also a need to ensure that there exists a strong system where Vocational Skill Building is imparted as a part of Education – i.e., as evidenced  by a need for a strong and vibrant Vocational Education system. There is much room to strengthen this stream. This is expected to be an important focus area going forward to serve the needs of those who would miss out on education and or formal vocational training.

The Planning Commission has also envisioned action agenda for various levels of Education and Skill Development in its 11^th Five Year Plan, such as⁵:

 Achieving literacy rate of 80%

 A special focus on Teacher Education

 Usage of Technology/ICT

 Setting up of the National Skill Development Mission, Coordination Board, and National Skill Development Corporation

 Strengthening Private Sector Participation in Education