COMPREHENSION

Through all the interviews conducted by various team members and some secondary search(referenced at the end) we had a better picture of the problem space than we had started out with. These are a few of the insights we acquired.

Issues

• Respect for the elderly

In each generation, there seems to be reduced respect for the elderly. Especially disregard for the wisdom and skills which seem more and more irrelevant in this digital world, in the eyes of youngsters.

• Financial burden

There is an economic burden associated with a large ageing population. While India has a youthful population distribution, the lackluster economic growth is one challenge. And the inability of the elderly to contribute is also a factor in the social status as they require expenses on them that might be unsavory for poor households.

• Inadequacy of current vocational training setup

The current vocation training setup cannot shoulder the responsibility for implementing NEP 2020 as the instructors are working hard enough and with periodic special training camps, there simply isn't room for more.

• Lack of interest in practical education

Vocational training can open rewarding avenues for pupils. However, there is of reduced interest in the same.

Problems and Causes

• Smartphone usage 

A lot of skilled tradesmen are not smartphone-users because of financial restrictions. On the other hand, some are familiar with apps like Facebook and Whatsapp but don't realise how to leverage them for profits.

• Unemployed engineers

There seems to be this curse for unemployed engineers where skills imparted or the quality or rigor of education don't match the requirements of the industry, leaving positions empty and educated joblessness increasing.

Papers reviewed:

https://www.cprindia.org/sites/default/files/articles/Skill_Training_or_Nipping_Potential_in_the_Bud-_0.pdf 

https://echetana.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/3.-A-E-Dr-Mahesh-Narayan-Dixit.pdf

https://www.kalsatrust.org.in/images/pdf/LABOUR_AND_EMPLOYMENT/KALSA%20RESERCH%20INSTITUTE%20%20LABOUR%20&%20EMPOWERMENT%20312.pdf