WorldSkills
WORLDSKILLS
World Skill International (WSI) is a not-for-profit organization set up in 1950 to promote Vocational Education and Training (VET) in countries across the globe. It aims to spread awareness about the essential contribution of skills and high standards of competence. WorldSkills Competition is the largest skill competition in the world, held once every two years. These competitions provide both a benchmark for high performance and an objective way to assess vocational excellence. The Competition is conducted in over 60 skills. More than 1000 contestants below the age of 23, compete over a span of four days working on test projects (16-22 hours) which are based on contemporary industry standards and infrastructure.
INDIASKILLS
India has been participating in the WorldSkills Competitions since 2007. Selection of Indian competitors for participation in WorldSkills Competition is done through Skill Competitions held at District, State, and National level. This year, WorldSkills competition will be held at Lyon, France in September 2024, followed by Shanghai, China in 2026. India secured 11th position, its best performance, at WorldSkills Competition 2022. Indian team performance is summarized as under:
India's rich heritage of artistic and culinary skills has been celebrated in both ancient scriptures and contemporary literature. This legacy remains deeply rooted in every corner of the country. Furthermore, in the wake of globalization, India has emerged as a leader in various IT-related domains such as web design, graphic design technology, IT software solutions for businesses, and mobile robotics.
To realize the vision of making India the "Skill Capital" of the world, it is crucial to showcase the nation's proficiency in diverse skill sets on a global platform. This involves extending skill competitions to even the most remote areas of the country and motivating Indian youth to participate in events like WorldSkills and other international competitions. To facilitate this, IndiaSkills competitions were introduced at the state and regional levels, culminating in the IndiaSkills Nationals 2018.
The objectives of these competitions are as follows:
- Establishing a transparent and organized system to prepare India's talented youth for WorldSkills Competitions.
- Disseminating knowledge and awareness about IndiaSkills and WorldSkills competitions to every corner of the country.
- Encouraging Indian youth to harness their skills and talents.
- Making skill development aspirational and rewarding, instilling a sense of pride and accomplishment in Indian youth.
- Decentralizing the skill development process by involving states in the initiative.
- Providing financial support to states based on scheme/project implementation plans.
- Creating adequate infrastructure and capacity to organize such competitions effectively.
- Showcasing India's diverse skill sets to the world in a systematic and organized manner.
Through these aims and objectives, India aims to not only preserve its traditional skills but also to nurture and showcase its contemporary expertise on the global stage, paving the way for a skilled and empowered youth population.
The Role of SSC nasscom in IndiaSkills
The role of IT-ITeS SSC nasscom in IndiaSkills is significant in shaping and enhancing India's skill development landscape, particularly in the field of information technology (IT) and related services. SSC nasscom is one of the sector-specific skill councils recognized by the Government of India under the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). SSC nasscom plays several crucial roles:
- Skill Development Standards: SSC nasscom is responsible for defining skill development standards, competencies, and qualifications relevant to the IT and IT-enabled services (ITeS) sectors. These standards serve as benchmarks for training programs and assessments conducted during IndiaSkills competitions.
- Curriculum Development: The council collaborates with industry experts and stakeholders to develop industry-relevant curriculum and training materials. These resources are utilized by training providers and educational institutions to impart skills necessary for participants to excel in IndiaSkills competitions.
- Training and Capacity Building: SSC nasscom oversees the training and capacity building initiatives aimed at enhancing the skill levels of participants preparing for IndiaSkills competitions. This includes providing training programs, workshops, and seminars to both trainers and participants.
- Assessment and Certification: As part of IndiaSkills competitions, SSC nasscom contributes to the design and implementation of assessment processes to evaluate the skills of participants. The council ensures that assessments are fair, transparent, and aligned with industry standards. Additionally, SSC nasscom may also facilitate the certification of participants who demonstrate proficiency in specific IT and ITeS skills.
- Industry Collaboration: SSC nasscom collaborates closely with industry partners, including IT companies, software firms, and service providers, to ensure that IndiaSkills competitions reflect the evolving needs of the sector. This collaboration helps in identifying emerging skill requirements and integrating them into the competition framework.
In the context of WorldSkills, SSC nasscom’s role for IndiaSkills/WorldSkills is outlined below:
- Spread the word to young people and encourage them to sign up.
- Create practice projects with input from industries and NSDC (National Skill Development Corporation) that meet WorldSkills standards for all competition levels.
- Choose and train a team of experts, judges, and workshop managers with NSDC's help for the regional and national competitions.
- Train teachers, judges, and workshop managers according to WorldSkills standards. Seek support from industries, companies, and educational institutions for each skill.
- Bring in experienced professionals from industries to act as coaches, mentors, or experts.
- Arrange the necessary equipment and facilities for the regional and national competitions, meeting WorldSkills standards.
- Work with industries to help the winners of skill competitions find job placements.
Overall, SSC nasscom's involvement in IndiaSkills is instrumental in promoting excellence in IT-ITeS skills, fostering industry-relevant talent, and contributing to India's position as a global hub for technology and innovation.
