- -Program managed by the Wadhwani Foundation’s Skills Development Network (SDN)
- -18 companies and 289 students participated
- -215 students placed
- -Reputed hiring companies from Automobiles, IT/ ITeS, Retail & Security
Haryana State Government’s Education Department and Wadhwani Foundation have announced the successful culmination of the second National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) led placement drive in the State. The initiative witnessed successful placements of 215 students, trained under NSQF and program managed by the Wadhwani Foundation’s Skills Development Network (SDN). National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC),
Concerned Sector Skill Councils and their affiliated Vocational Training Partners played a key-supporting role along with Wadhwani Foundation, leading to a better future to the students.
The placement drive that recently concluded involved 18 companies and 289 students participating across nine different locations, including Faridabad, Gurgaon, Rohtak and Ambala. Companies like Dish TV (Manpower Group Services India Pvt. Ltd.), Eureka Forbes, Maruti (Jagmohan Motors), Nisa, Swift Securitas, Competent Synergies, Concentrix, Dr. ITM, Home Credit, WH Smith, Pizza Hut, Costa Coffee (Divyani International), MHire etc were present at the placement drive to select suitable candidates. The students, who secured placement with the companies, have been offered a salary package between Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 10,000 per month, with the highest salary of Rs. 10,500 per month.
Commenting on the achievement,
Sh. M. L. Kaushik, IAS, Director Secondary Education Government of Haryana said, "
Vocational education program has made a real difference to the lives of students by building self-confidence and leadership skills and allowing them to utilize their unique gift and talents. I am happy for this batch of students who have received job offers and I wish them luck for their careers ahead. I hope they find their learning useful in their day-to-day work.”
Vocationalisation of Secondary & Higher Secondary Education scheme aligned with National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) was launched on 2012-13 with 40 schools, 4000 students in the State of Haryana. The vocational courses initially included Automobiles, IT/ ITeS, Retail and Security. Beauty & Wellness, Patient care assistant and Physical Education & Sports were later introduced in the second year with an addition of 100 more schools. Haryana’s State Education Department, with the support from Wadhwani Foundation and other stakeholders have trained over 565 Vocational Trainers in implementation strategies and e-learning programs in the schools.
Expressing happiness on the remarkable outcome of this placement drive,
Manish Mohan, Executive Vice President, Skills Development Network (SDN), Wadhwani Foundation said, “
We are pleased to see continued efforts of the State and all entities involved in implementing vocational skills education in schools, bearing such wonderful results. It is encouraging to see the industry supporting in the efforts and giving preference to candidates who have passed with vocational skills. Wadhwani Foundation will continue to partner with the State Government in this noble endeavor.”
Initially, Wadhwani Foundation focused on setting up the program followed by institutionalizing the basic policies and guidelines, and strengthening of a core program management team consisting of technical officers, school coordinators, Principals and district coordinators through specialized training and providing technical support. Regular school visits were conducted by specialists from the Foundation to identify fundamental issues, prospects and hurdles. Skill development training was made more informative and interesting by using multi-media based e-content, which has been widely accepted, and appreciation by the children as well as the Vocational Trainers.
Sushma Patel who completed her XII along with Level 4 in Retail sector from GMSSS Sarai Khwaja, Faridabad is now working with Big Bazaar as Customer Sales Associate. She is extremely grateful to her teachers and other mentor on her successful placement.
Sushma says, “
After passing out from 12th grade with Retail Trade I have got a chance to get employed. Retail is very good line for employment opportunities and growth, and I am learning a lot. I am confident about my future and I hope that I will achieve my career goals as a retail professional.”
Shaista Zeya, HR Manager, Big Bazaar reflects on Sushma’s performance, “
Sushma has all ingredients of a good professional and I find her working style to be very good. She is very punctual, skillful, honest and knowledgeable. The NSQF students that we get are well trained and they do their job sincerely”. Wadhwani Foundation (WF) aims to accelerate India’s economy through five high-impact initiatives, one of which is developing a skilled workforce to meet the demands of economic growth via education. The objective of the Skills Development Network (SDN) Initiative is to help overcome skills deficit of India’s mid-level, white-collared, knowledge workers by promoting industry-driven short-cycle education.
Elaborating further on this NSQF led vocational education program, Manish Mohan, EVP-SDN, Wadhwani Foundation further added,
“The initiative has witnessed dramatic progress over last three years with the number of schools offering vocational education rising to 490, up from the initial 40 schools. With the addition of Agriculture, Media & Entertainment and Hospitality & Tourism sectors, the total strength of students enrolled in vocational education in the state []]]for FY 2015-16] is now more than 41,500.”
The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has announced programs to mainstream skilling in High Schools. In addition, UGC has announced a Community Colleges scheme and B.Voc. Program, to train millions of post-secondary students to become knowledge workers for the global economy. This industry-linked skill development focused programs are aligned with the Government notified, National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF). Given the current high-paced growth and dynamic investment climate in India, the demand for knowledge workers with high levels of hard and soft skills will only increase.
About Wadhwani Foundation: Founded in 2000 by Dr. Romesh Wadhwani, the Foundation’s primary mission is economic acceleration in emerging economies. With large-scale education led initiatives driving skill development and job creation, the Foundation have launched five high impact education, training and research focused Initiatives in India, some of which are replicated in US, South East Asia and will soon be replicated in Africa and South America.
To leverage entrepreneurship as a catalyst for job creation, Wadhwani Foundation established the
National Entrepreneurship Network (NEN) in 2003. NEN inspires, educates and supports emerging entrepreneurs. Since inception, NEN has resulted in 2,000 new start-ups with 12,000+ direct and 50,000+ indirect jobs, and is now tracking 1,500+ new companies each year. For skilling, vocational education and training led job fulfillment, Wadhwani Foundation have set up the
Skills Development Network (SDN) which supports multiple high school, college and employer initiatives for entry level mid-skill jobs through a digital/video curricula and pedagogy.
Opportunity Network for Disabled (OND) is aimed at mainstreaming the educated disabled into sustainable high quality corporate jobs through a business value proposition.
Research and Innovation Network (RIN) aims to upgrade India’s research eco-system by catalyzing ‘Centers of Innovations’ in partnership with existing research Institutes.
Policy Research Centre provides data driven research inputs for informed policy actions towards creating an education led human-capital driven growth economy.
Wadhwani Chair on US-India policy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Washington, D.C, aims to accelerate India-U.S economic activities primarily through channels of skilling and education.
Photo Caption: Students participate in NSQF Haryana led placemement drive