Empowering India's Youth: Creating More Job Opportunities and Skilling Programmes for Bright Prospects

As one of the world's largest youth populations, India faces the challenge of providing employment for its highly qualified youth. The government can play a pivotal role in creating more job opportunities and enhancing the skills of its youth through innovative approaches and strategic policies.

The Need for Job Opportunities for Youth

India has a vast pool of young talent with diverse skills and aspirations. However, traditional job opportunities have not kept pace with the evolving demands of the workforce. The government needs to rethink its approach to job creation, recognizing the changing nature of skills and employment requirements.

For example, the government can transform roles and practices that have remained unchanged for decades. A prime example of this transformation is the conversion of India Post into India Post Payment Bank, which not only revitalized the entity but also created new job opportunities for young people. Similarly, youth above 10th and 12th grade can be employed in various sectors, such as India Post, by delivering parcels and government products, providing them with financial security and support.

Addressing Climate Change Through Youth Employment

With the increasing impact of climate change, there is a pressing need for India to incorporate environmental roles into its job market. The government can create positions such as environmentalists within the environment ministry, which will benefit both the youth and the environment. These roles will offer government support, enable CSR fund utilization, ensure job security for the youth, and help mitigate climate change.

In addition, the government can introduce new jobs that align with emerging trends, such as digitalization and automation, which can absorb a significant number of youth into the workforce. By fostering such opportunities, the government can contribute to the well-being and employability of India's young population.

Empowering Youth Through Skill Vouchers

A recent initiative by the government of India involves issuing skill vouchers or skill wallets to encourage youths to engage in skill training of their choice. These vouchers can be redeemed at approved skill providers, offering a personalized and flexible approach to skill development.

The redeemable value of these vouchers will depend on the chosen courses, providing a tailored incentive system. This notion contrasts with the existing subsidization system, where trainers and employers receive funding for skill training and apprenticeships. The government's move is part of a broader plan to transition from subsidy-based models to incentive-based programs, aligning with their Skill India mission.

Under this initiative, the ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship aims to incentivize youth to undertake training by providing 100 redeemable wallets/vouchers for sectors with low starting salaries, such as construction. Conversely, for sectors with higher starting salaries, like beauty or fashion designing, only partial redemption is possible, with the candidate covering the remaining costs.

This approach is expected to make skill development aspirational for youth by empowering them to choose their preferred courses and improving the quality of training. The ministry believes that significant consolidation and upgradation have occurred in the last four years under the Skill India Mission, but it is now time to experiment with a new model to inspire young people.

India lags behind other countries in terms of formally skilled youth, with less than 5% being formally skilled compared to countries like South Korea (96%), Japan (80%), Germany (75%), the United Kingdom (68%), and the United States (52%). Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Skill India Mission aims to address this gap by imparting skills training to 400 million people by 2022 through flagship schemes.

Currently, just 25 million youth have received skill training under various government schemes. By introducing skill vouchers, the government can incentivize a larger number of young people to pursue skill development, thereby contributing to the overall skill development of India.

Conclusion

Empowering India's youth through job creation and skill development is crucial for the country's economic growth and development. By adopting innovative approaches and strategic policies, the government can ensure that a greater number of young people are equipped with the skills necessary for success in the modern workforce. Ultimately, this will contribute to their financial security, personal growth, and the well-being of the nation.