WORLD FACES SERIOUS SKILL CRUNCH

Mohammad Shahbaz Alam

Globally we are late in taking steps in identifying untapped potential skills. All nook and
corner are not untouched with terrorism mostly because of unemployment. Unethical
practices are rampant everywhere because we couldnt find out our own talent on time. We
select our profession by force or situation and not by choice. "In India, and globally, there is
an enormous gap between the skills needed by the industry and what academia is producing,
resulting in a deep fracture in the talent supply chain," To raise the awareness about the
importance of investing in youth skills development, the United Nation General Assembly
has decided to celebrate the first World Youth Skills Day on July 15, 2015.
It is a reality check by National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) of India on first
World Youth Skills Day on 15 July 2015. There was just two percent growth in employable
skills in the engineering sector last year. The situation was worse in polytechnics as not even
one-third of the students could match the benchmark levels. Moreover, only 14% of India's
workforce has good inter-personal skills and 10% has communication skills.
Nearly 61%, as per 2013 report, employers surveyed in India blamed insufficient skills that
prevented them from filling vacant positions in their companies. Questions remain whether
India has the skilled manpower and technical curricula to facilitate it as the country embarks
on 'Make in India' vision. An analysis of the curricula with that of the US has showed an
engineering graduate there spends 40% time on the shop floor against nine percent in
India. American engineering graduates are promoted with grades/credits they score for the
projects or research in Labs. In India, maximum weightage is given to theoretical
knowledge.
"By 2020, almost 60% of India's population of 1.3 billion will be in the working age group of
15-59 years. If adequately skilled this demographic dividend could make India a global HR
powerhouse." Even as NSDC and various ministries and institutions are on a collaboration
spree to bridge the gap, it will be a herculean task to meet the 2022 targets. Around 500
million skilled human resources across various sectors would be required in next five years as
per the NSDC. The construction and real estate sector alone would need an additional 41
million workforce by 2022.
From July 19-22, Qabailee Committee, an NGO based in Lakhminia, Begusarai, Bihar
organised four days workshop on Knowledge & Skills. First day was Eid Millan followed
by 3 days workshop. They invited guests from across the world specially people of Indian
origin. On the necessity of producing skilled manpower, Prof. M.J.Warsi from US said: every
school, college and university should come up and should organise workshop for
development of knowledge and skills among students and non-skilled workers as well.
Mohammad Ayaz Alam manager of Daylewis, UK said that after passing master in pharmacy
coupled with diploma in regulatory affairs candidates are not well aware about basic

knowledge of Indian and global regulatory guideline as how to file products for registration.
Most of the B.Pharma candidate cannot differentiate into drug and medicine. Few candidates
know things very well but they cannot explain because of poor communication skills.
Interestingly Qabailee Committee is formed by daily wages worker with the vision of 100%
employable literacy of Lakhminia and whole Begusarai district. We should come forward to
join hands together to share knowledge and skills among needy youths. If illeteterae group
known as Qabailee committee can organise workshop for the development of nation and it is
really a challenge for all of us. Why not skilled people should take it positively and should
organise similar type of workshop every block and district of India and the world. Be sharing
and caring with the society because sharing and caring is need of the hour to survive and to
grow on fast track.