SIT identifying beneficiaries for skill empowerment project

The Seshasayee Institute of Technology (SIT) is in the process of identifying beneficiaries for the MHRD-Community College-National Skill Qualification Framework Scheme.

The project envisages skill-empowerment of students, who are unable to study beyond SSLC due to economic backwardness, in order to enable them to derive utility of opportunities in the manufacturing sector.

Under the NSQF scheme, full-time and part-time courses are to be offered to candidates between 18 and 23 years of age free of cost in CNC programming and refrigeration and air-conditioning at level 3 for a duration of six months.

There will be both academic and vocational components. Admitted students will learn English, Hindi, Maths, Physics, and Basic Computer under the academic component, and engineering metrology, engineering graphics, computer-aided machine drawing, CNC turning and CNC milling under the vocational component.

Flexible scheme


SIT is among the six polytechnic colleges in the State to implement the pilot project of offering short-term certificate courses under the community college scheme for which the AICTE approved a grant of ₹1.49 crore. “The scheme is highly flexible in terms of vertical and horizontal mobility,” SIT Principal S. Sangapillai said. “It is useful and suitable for youngsters to become skilled professionals.”

The MHRD has chosen polytechnic colleges for the scheme, considering them as effective platforms for expanding knowledge and skill of youth, and integrate them into the economic development of the country.

The Community College Scheme suits best the workforce in informal employment in unorganised sector, for transformation into high-paid skilled professionals, according to K. Vijaykumar, Coordinator, Community College, SIT.

The NSQF formally integrates vocational education with the current conventional educational stream. The major highlight of the scheme is that students will have the option to move from vocational stream to general higher education stream or vice-versa at various stage under the systems of school boards, universities and colleges.

The competency-based modular curricula enables multi-entry and exit, encouraging performance-based learning with definable competencies. The system allows candidates to seek employment after any level and rejoin education as and when feasible to upgrade qualifications and skill competencies, Mr. Vijaykumar explained.

Competency gaps of candidates are identified and bridge courses are offered based on the required modular curricula. While theory will be taught in the institutions, the skills will be imparted through accredited Skill Knowledge Providers.

The candidates are bound to find employment as competencies they gain under the Community College system is demand-driven, involving industry's involvement in delivery and joint certification, Mr. Vijaykumar said.

Source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/sit-identifying-beneficiaries-for-skill-empowerment-project/article19592377.ece