Thiruvananthapuram: HS students to get skill training

Thiruvananthapuram: In a first of its kind initiative, the state government has entered into tie-ups with various organisations for skilling higher secondary students as part of National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF).

Kerala Agriculture University, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Indian Research and training centre, Lulu Mall, KTDC, Thiruvananthapuram Medical College, Kerala State Electricity Board, BSNL, Akshaya Kendras and Keltron will provide in house training to school students making them employable.

They were made partners in the NSQF at a function at Government Vocational Higher Secondary School, Karakulam, on Wednesday.

NSQF nodal officer of SCERT Renjith Subhash said procedures for a formal MoU with them were progressing.However, the tie-ups have already come into existence and training started. The pattern of an instructor providing one-hour vocational training per day has replaced that of one teacher, one trainer and one lab assistant for three hours, Mr Subhash told DC.

Ashok Kumar, a teacher at the Siva Vilasam Vocational Higher Secondary School, Thamarakudy, near Kottarakara, said the first phase covers 66 schools in the state with 145 batches together with 12 courses in agriculture, retail, travel and tourism, power, telecom, IT, electronics and hardware, healthcare and beauty and wellness. It will cover all vocational higher secondary and higher secondary schools in a phased manner. As per norms, NSQF has to be introduced in 25 per cent of the higher secondary courses by 2020, said Mr Kumar.

Ambili V. Nair, a teacher at Government Vocational Higher Secondary School, Karakulam, said one difference between the previous vocational education and the present model was that it also has a soft skill training component. The training will be in communication, entrepreneurship, ICT skills, green skills and self-motivation skills.

"Students will get training from various service providers and a certificate," Ms Nair told DC.