Vocational education and training for vulnerable and marginalised groups

Background to the project

In India around 40% of people live on less than US$1.25 a day and estimates suggest up to 90% are employed in the informal economy. Vocational education and training is a key approach for vulnerable and marginalised groups to develop sustainable livelihood opportunities. This is particularly important in marginalised areas where diversifying livelihoods to reduce reliance on agricultural incomes is a key strategy for generating income growth.

This is a pilot project funded by the European Commission and is being jointly run by CSD, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the British Council.

Project overview and approach

The project focuses on training vulnerable and marginalised individuals in two impoverished districts in India; Sirsa in Haryana and Sitapur in Uttar Pradesh, where opportunities to access education and engage in sustainable employment is limited. The project has three key objectives:

• The successful delivery of demand-driven skills training across the manufacturing, agro-processing and tourism sectors.
• The successful development of training delivery for soft skills, including the teaching of English to increase employment opportunities.
• To develop a framework for effective employer engagement.
  

The three objectives have been selected because of the potential for employment and self-employment within the local area and nearby urban hubs. In addition, the inclusion of soft skills training, notably through English language provision, is essential as these soft skills are important factors for employment and career progression within the Indian labour market.

Expected impact

• It is estimated that around 11,000 people will be trained across the two districts, as well as local capacity building for trainers.
• Demonstrate that when effectively structured, vocational education and training and the development of links between stakeholders can have a positive impact on livelihood development, even in marginalised areas of the country.   
• To contribute towards the creation of a new national structure for vocational education and training in India, to address the government’s aim of training or upskilling 250 million people over the next 10 years.
  
  

  We want to hear from you: post a comment 

  Please share your tips, comments or questions below (your email address will not be displayed).
  

  Browser does not support script.
  Subject

  Name:

  Email:

  Comment:

  Submit