Re-evaluating Virtual skills Development for Pandemic India

As we all know that the whole world is suffering from COVID-19, and it’s been more than 3 months, but there is no improvement in the situation. Government of India has initiated lockdown in the entire country. All technical and educational institution has been shut down.

According to analysis, India has the largest population of youth. At a normal age of 29 years, Indian culture is one of the most youthful on the earth, and individuals matured age is 15–24 make up 33% of the population. It has 25 crore school students studying in class 1st to class 12th. There are around 15 lakhs schools in India, in which 70% of schools and colleges run under State and Central Government.

All schools, colleges, and institutions have been closed from three months due to coronavirus. Now both private and govt schools/ colleges/ training centres are conducting online vocational skill training to students. Specialists are questioning the effectiveness of online education and training for scholars who belong to the lower strata of society. There are still many people in India who don’t have smartphones. In a survey conducted by child rights organisation across 23 states of India that 56% of students don’t possess any smartphone.

As worn out as it sounds, a truly necessary revival of the economy will rely upon India’s Youngsters arriving at their maximum capacity. Along these lines, it has gotten important to make sure about youth employment and set up this segment to be profitable and skilled professionals of tomorrow. In this situation the most effected lot is our youth.

Students and trainees of government institutions are facing a major problem. Lack of smartphones and internet is giving disadvantage, a fewer number of students are getting online classes. To resolve this problem, organization can conduct drives in which people will donate their old mobile phones, laptops, etc. These devices will be given to all destitute learners studying in schools, colleges and institutions. There is huge need to improve and improvise the telecom sector as to conduct online classes all are dependent on network.

There is a huge difference in face to face training and virtual skill development. Online education will be less interactive, and there is a lack of human connection between trainer and trainee.

Government have to take some major decision to make this education sector stronger. They have to come up with better technologies and a unified system for both government and private sector. As our economic system is dependent on the youth of India. If we won’t be able to strengthen them than it would strongly affect our progress and development.

PM Modi also said that “Department of skill development and entrepreneurship is mapping a global need of skills” Probably this would be a final year of some college students and at this time many students want to do internship to enhance their skills. Due to lockdown, they are doing online internship or training from institutes and companies. Companies and several institutes are providing virtual skill training to interested peoples. Yes, there may be a lack of communication or interaction but it is better to have something than nothing.

Students studying higher class or those who are in training period can also take the help of e-learning applications/ youtube for their class or training. While school will also provide skill training using Zoom/ Google and other platforms to the students. There are so many other applications on internet that promote virtual learning. Various big IT organizations are developing software/ application i.e. Learning Management System. These types of software are given by companies to many NGO’s cost-free. By using these software’s, NGO authorities can efficiently provide online learning to students.

Skill training can also be provided by television, radio, etc. Besides that, skills training should be more practical, and education should also be provided to all destitute students in India. This pandemic showed every one of us that we can also search for temporary solutions to insert positive effects. Over 400 programs have provided by National Skill Development Corporation’s e-learning website by various information providers.

So, for the benefits of both students/ educators/ trainers, it is necessary to recognize the value of the concrete steps digital platforms have to take to advance the interests of India’s approximately 446 million youth, by providing them better upskilling programs and facilitating their progress to profitable employment. As it is essential to provide education and training in a realistic way more than theoretical. Education institutions and training centers can also interact with different IT companies concerning e-learning and skill development.