“Twenty percent of our graduates, from the traditional education streams, are employable,” says Professor Neela Dabir, deputy director of Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS). A stark fact, that has been staring the Indian working population for some time, finally seems to be getting addressed as TISS is gearing up for the national launch of its School of Vocational Education (SVE), after the initial announcement in 2011.

Workers manage machines at a factory in Dharuhera, around some 80 km south of New Delhi. Pic/AFP

“All over the world, there is a shortage of skilled manpower and most countries are trying to increase the number of skilled workers that are needed by different industries, as well as service sectors. In India, we are facing the same situation. Having the demographic dividend, it is all the more necessary to ensure that our younger generation gets education in employable skills. The rest need to acquire additional qualifications to get a job. The situation of the youth, who cannot afford to learn beyond SSC or HSC, is even more vulnerable,” shares Prof Dabir.