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Bridging the skills gap

Learning and imparting knowledge is fundamental for our growth as a society. Education, both formal and informal, is vital to developing our social skills and provides us the stability, resources, and means to earn a livelihood. School is the first step we take to earn a formal education, and it largely focuses on building a strong basic foundation for various subjects. The knowledge we gain and the concepts we learn during our school years last us a lifetime; therefore, it is important to build a diverse skill set early on in life.

Schooling in India is primarily theory based, meaning it focus on teaching students the theoretical concepts of a topic without delving deeply into its practical implementation and applications. This leads to a skill gap in the students, where they seemingly learn the concepts but do not completely comprehend its practical application. This learning gap largely impacts their job prospects in future and is often responsible for the low employment rates. The recent India Skills Report 2020 states that the youth employment rates in India have been stagnant for the past three years, largely due to the lack of proper practical skills. This further highlights the need for practical, skill-based learning in the Indian youth. Moreover, the disconnect between academic and industry has become even more evident due to the pandemic and its devastating repercussions. Recently, students have been introduced to online learning, however a majority of them still lack the awareness regarding the myriad of career options available and the skillset required to pursue them.

To address this skill gap, it is important for students to be exposed to project-based learning and internships during their school and college education that can provide them hand-on learning and industry experience. This will not only build their confidence but also help them build their professional network take on bigger challenges. Furthermore, the youth should be encouraged to build transferable skills that allow the career mobility if they wish to change their field of study. Technology is constantly evolving and it important to adapt and up skill yourself to achieve your professional goals!