IIM Bangalore (IIMB) hosted the launch of the book, ‘India: Preparation for the World of Work - Education System and School to Work Transition’, on February 12, 2016, at the Central Pergola of the Institute. The book, themed around skill development and transition from education to the world of work in the Indian context, has been published by the Springer Publishing House.
The book was formally released by the event’s Chief Guest, Consul General Jörn Rohde, German Consulate in Bangalore. The German scholars, as well as contributors of the book, attended the event, along with faculty, staff and students of the Institute.
Talking about Germany partnering with India to bridge the skill gap in the professional arena in India, the Consul General of Germany said, “I am aware, that India does not stand alone when it comes to a huge gap between the vocational training and the world of work. Germany has been able to bridge this gap successfully with the dual system of vocational training, where the students spend four days a week in the industry and a day dedicated to the theory. We are happy to partner with India to skill India for a brighter tomorrow.”
Earlier in the evening, welcoming the audience, Dr. S Nayana Tara, Professor, Centre for Public Policy, IIMB, who is one of the contributing writers in the book, said that the book provides pathways for policy making in the arena of skill development and entrepreneurship, which is on the top of the table with the agenda of the Government of India. “The book will be highly useful to policy makers and implementers of vocational education programmes and skill development; vocational training institutions such as it is, Polytechnics, Department of Employment & Training, Labour Department and Skill Development Corporations, to name a few,” she added.
The welcome address was followed by the keynote address from the editor of the book, Prof. Matthias Pilz, University of Cologne, Germany. Prof. Pilz spoke about the major role of vocational education and the training sector in meeting the challenge of skill-gap in India, which has surfaced along with the rapid economic growth in the country. Moreover, the growing population too needs education on different levels. He remarked, “For high-quality goods, not only academic professions are needed, but intermediate skills also are of high relevance. Having these major challenges in mind it is quite amazing that up to now the research about a transition from school to work and vocational education and training is fragmented and also rather limited in India. To fill this gap, this is the first book which covers the full picture from prevocational education to job-related academic education and from standardized ITI-programmes to informal learning in workplace settings and also to lifelong learning.”
Detailing what the book has to offer, he said that well-known researchers from India focus chapter by chapter on special issues and give a detailed and empirically validated inside look into education, labour market and all forms of learning. ‘For international readers, the book gives a perfect overview of all stages of the education and labour market system in India as well as an opportunity of being informed about the latest research findings on this topic in India’, he concluded.
The event wrapped up with a Vote of Thanks from Dr. K Kumar, Professor, NS Raghavan Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning (NSRCEL), IIM Bangalore.
About the book:
India is a leading industrial nation and requires highly skilled employees. However, the country is facing a shortage of craftsmen on different levels of qualification. In this context, the question arises, how the Indian education system prepares the youth for the world of work and the requirements for the employment system. Against the background of a highly inadequate vocational training system, this aspect gains additional importance.
The contributions from the Indian and German experts deal with several issues regarding school to work transition, starting from primary through secondary school up to higher and further education. 
No comments:
Post a Comment