MSDE lays out framework for holistic development of trainers in the skilling ecosystem

NEW DELHI: With the vision of achieving a fully developed nation by the 100th anniversary of India’s independence through 'Viksit Bharat 2047,' the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) aims to nurture a versatile workforce for a continuously evolving economy. To achieve this, the Ministry has outlined a strategy to empower trainers in both short-term and long-term skilling sectors with necessary skills and technology, enabling learners to engage effectively in the future market.

The Future Right Skills Network (FRSN), in collaboration with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), has formulated the "Trainer Development Strategy for the Skilling Ecosystem." This strategy outlines a framework and guidelines aimed at enhancing the skills of educators for the 21st century. It suggests that trainers incorporate digital blended content into traditional classroom instruction through the use of digital tools and resources.

Address staffing and training capacity gaps

The development of the trainer strategy has been facilitated by Quest Alliance and backed by FRSN, a collaboration involving Accenture, Cisco, JP Morgan, and SAP. This initiative aims to elevate the caliber and impact of trainers nationwide across various sectors, particularly in long-term skilling endeavors. Furthermore, the outlined strategies seek to address several challenges including staffing and training capacity gaps, the scarcity of qualified trainers in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector, which hampers the effectiveness of skill development programs, and the attrition of skilled trainers due to irregular employment, limited career progression opportunities, and inadequate compensation. Additionally, the document proposes measures to enhance the effectiveness of existing trainers through recognition, performance assessment, motivation, and further skills development.

Atul Kumar Tiwari, secretary, MDSE said, “The Trainer Development Strategy for the Skilling Ecosystem - framework and guidelines - is a testament of the collaborative efforts of the Government, Industry and Academia which will pave the way for stronger skilling ecosystem with a holistic approach to trainer development. With the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in its tenth year, it is important to focus on the potential areas of development as much as it is important to relive the achievements. I firmly believe efforts such as these will consolidate on the good work that the Ministry is doing and will strengthen the ecosystem further.”

Feedback from trainers

The recommendations will be validated in various Indian states to gather feedback from trainers, learners, and other skilling ecosystem stakeholders before being implemented on a large scale.

Adding to that, Aakash Sethi, CEO, Quest Alliance said that by integrating digital content and resources into classroom learning, we are ensuring that India's workforce is equipped with the skills required to thrive in the 21st-century economy. “We believe that this initiative will not only address the current gaps in the TVET sector but also pave the way for a more dynamic and efficient skilling ecosystem in India. Trainers must be prepared and ahead of industry trends to effectively equip the workforce with the skills needed to meet industry demands," he added.