Vocational Education in India

The Technical / Vocational Education and Training is multi-sectoral in nature. Each ministry/department in Central as well as State Governments is responsible for manpower development in that sector. While some offer regular formal or non-formal courses, others draw from the general pool of educated and trained manpower.

The higher secondary vocationalisation programme aims to develop skilled manpower through diversified courses to meet the requirements of mainly the unorganised sector and to prepare people for the world of work in general through a large number of self employment oriented courses, not precluding wage employment orientation of many courses.
Through diversification into production and service oriented courses, it is desired to reduce the aimless pursuit of higher education and thereby reduce pressure from the tertiary education.

In 1989-90 there were more than 150 courses in different states which are grouped under the major areas of agriculture, business and commerce, engineering and technology health and paramedical, home science and humanitiies. The design consists of theory and practice relating to the vocational field, related subjects, language and general foundation studies which includes entrepreneurship. during that time a total of 168.680 students were enrolled in the first year of the two year programme. There are more than 5000 full time teachers teaching these courses. Vocational educational in India aims to develop skilled manpower through diversified courses to meet the requirements of mainly the unorganised sector and to instill self-employment skills in people through a large number of self employment oriented courses. Vocational education is imparted through Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and polytechnics.

One of the weaknesses of Indian education system is that it does not gives due importance to vocational education. As a result there is a mismatch between the skilled manpower required and skilled manpower available. Every year we churn out millions of graduates who do not have the specific skill sets required by the market. If this trend continues it would hurt our economic growth in the long run. To change this situation first we need to change our mindset. In India, people are obsessed with attaining a graduation degree and generally look down upon vocational education. This has resulted in a situation where on the one hand there are scores of unemployed graduates and on the other hand there is a huge shortage of skilled workers such as plumbers, electricians etc.

• Typewriting
• Stenography
• Secretarial Practices
• Computer Operator & Programme Assistant
• Architectural Draughtsmanship
• Desk Top Publishing
• Electrical Technician
• Electronics (Radio/TV/Tape Recorder Mechanic)
• Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
• Plumbing
• Library Assistant
• Cutting/Tailoring & Dress Making
• Hair & Skin Care
• Fruit & Vegetable Preservation Programs