The Department of Education, with an objective to provide a career alternative to those students who are incapable of coping with the general curriculum and opt for dropping out of school, has asked the schools in the state to introduce skill development initiative (SDI) scheme for such pupils. A circular has already been sent to all the schools.
“The directorate of general employment and training under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, in pursuance of excellence in vocational training has developed a new strategic framework for Skill Development Initiative Scheme for early school leavers and existing workers, in close consultation with the industry, state government and experts,” the circular says, pointing out that the scheme has been operational from May 24, 2007, with the objective of covering one million persons in the next five years. It is almost after three years of implementation of this scheme on the national level, that it has now officially arrived in Goa.
The deputy director (vocational) of Education, Mr Anil Powar told ‘The Navhind Times’ on Thursday evening that the objective of the scheme is to provide training to school dropouts, existing workers, ITI graduates, etc, to improve their employability by optimally utilising the infrastructure available in the government, private institutions and the industry. “Existing skills of the persons can also be tested and certified under this scheme,” he added. Mr Powar also stated that the scheme envisages building capacity in the area of development of competency standards, course curricula, learning material and assessment standards in the country.
The key features of the scheme include demand-driven short term training courses based on modular employment skills (MES) decided in consultation with industry, testing and certification of skills acquired informally and testing of skills by independent assessing bodies which would not be involved in training, to ensure that it is done impartially. The essence of the scheme is in the certification that will be nationally and internationally recognised.
The prescribed fees, which includes cost of material, honorarium etc are Rs 500 per module for modules having duration up to 90 hours, Rs 1,000 per module for modules having duration from 91 to 180 hours, Rs 1,500 per module for modules having duration from 181 to 270 hours and Rs 2,000 per module for modules having duration of more than 270 hours. The candidates belonging to the ST and SC category and women will be given 25 per cent relaxation in these fees.
Furthermore, in order to motivate trainees to take the training programmes seriously, training fees of all those trainees who successfully complete the training would be refunded to them. The training fee structure initially prescribed for a year is subject to revision.
Altogether 10 government ITIs have been registered in the state for vocational training programme under SDI scheme. The courses under the scheme include basic welding, TIG welding, basic refrigeration and air conditioning, cooking tandoori cuisine, Chinese food and bakery products, computer fundamentals, MS Office and Internet, basic electrical training, basic automotive servicing, repair of home appliances, house wiring, repair and maintenance of TV receiver, computer networking, desktop hardware, desktop publishing, Internet kiosk operation, web designing, machine embroidery operation, hand embroidery, tailoring, hair colourist, basics of beauty and hair dressing, hair cutting specialist, beauty therapist, hair therapist, diesel/fuel injection technician, bicycle and tricycle repairs, turning, milling, grinding, and domestic BPO among many other courses.
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