Why in News ?

Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship(MSDE) and High Commission of Australia holds meeting for Cooperation in Vocational Education and Training. India and Australia Skilling Agenda aimed for more collaborative programmes. 

Details of the India and Australia Skilling Agenda Meeting

• To operationalize & implement Cooperation in VET to promote development of occupational standards in priority industry sectors.
• Both will ensure a collaborative and clear plan of action to address the priority areas in skill development
• Importance of joint planning and implementation of collaborative programmes was emphasized with a focus on salient points such as
  • Industry sectors
  • Enhancing capacity and quality of trainers and assessors
  • Internships and apprenticeship exchanges
  • Facilitation of linkages between VET providers and industry in both the countries
• MoU will establish new pathways between the two countries to share information and best practice between the respective VET systems.
  • The MoU will help in mutual priority areas of industry engagement, quality assurance models, and teaching standards.

Other Agreement for Vocational Education and Training and Importance

• MSDE has signed MOUs with eight countries including Japan, UAE, Sweden, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Finland and Morocco for cooperation.
• The partnership will help foster closer ties between the governments and training providers open up new areas of opportunity for millions of VET learners in both countries.

Vocational Education and Training in India

• What does Vocational Education Focus ? : Vocational education consists basically of practical courses through which one gains skills and experience directly linked to a career in future.
• Two types of vocational trainings are available in India:
  • Formal Education
    • Training follows a structured training program and leads to certificates, diplomas or degrees, recognized by State/Central Government, Public Sector and other reputed concerns.
  • In Formal Education
    • Helps in acquiring some marketable expertise, which enables a person to carry out her/his ancestral trade or occupation.
    • It is also a Hereditary method of skill acquisitions.
• According to a NSSO report vocational training is received by
  • Only 10% of persons aged between 15-29 years.
  • Out of this only 2% receive formal training, while non-formal training constitutes the remaining 8%.
  • Out of the formal training received by that particular age group only 3% are employed.
  • Most sought after field of training is computer related training.
  • Only 20% of formal vocational training is received from ITI/ITCs.
• Examples of vocational education courses are
  • Dairying, farm machinery and equipment under Agriculture
  • Accounting and auditing under Business and Commerce
  • Electrical technology, air conditioning and refrigeration under Engineering and Technology
  • X-ray technician, health care and beauty culture under Health and Para Medical
  • Preservation of fruits and vegetables, food services and management under Home Sciences and Humanities.

Source : PIB

Topic

GS II : Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources

Current Affairs Compilation : 1 October 2020