Kaushal Yuva Program in Bihar

Background

It was observed that the youth of Bihar though qualified, lacked the basic soft and Information Technology (IT) skills which are a pre-requisite for any job in today's world. Owing to this reason, the youth found it difficult to find the right jobs that match their qualification and aptitude.

In the above context, Bihar Skill Development Mission (BSDM) conceptualized and launched the Kushal Yuva Programme (KYP), a unique skill training programme to enhance the employability of the youth of Bihar which would add further value to the various domain specific training endeavors of the State.

Intervention

The KYP in its initial phase targets the youth in the age group of 15 to 25 years who are at least 10th pass. The course curriculum is covered in 240 hours and includes three components, specifically designed to enhance employability viz. Soft Skills for 40 hours, Communication Skills for 80 hours and Basic computer literacy for 120 hours.

The mode of delivery is completely through an 'E-Learning' platform named as "E- learning Revolution for All (ERA)' , which features self-paced learning, interactive sessions, practical learning, and corrective mechanisms, continuous and final evaluation. The 240 hours are equally divided into 120 sessions covering 20 sessions for soft skills, 40 sessions for communication skills and 60 sessions of basic computer literacy. The mode of learning is sequential and integrated into an online assessment and cettification process ensures that a candidate receives session-wise certificates after successfully completing each session and a final certificate on successfully clearing the final assessment.

To ensure that the benefits reach the doorstep of each and every needy youth, BSDM has constructed 534 Block Skill Development Centres (BSDCs) at each of the 534 blocks across 38 districts of the state. To run these BSDCs, BSDM has successfully empaneled reputed Training organisations through a Request for Proposal (RFP) mode. Apart from BSDCs, BSDM has also registered private skilling centres with adequate space for running the KYP programme. An online registration process ensures uniformity and robustness across the centres.

Further, to maintain uniformity in delivery of training / pedagogy, BSDM has engaged in conduct of online Training of Trainers (TOT) and an online examination, ONCeT. All Learning Facilitators / Trainers have to mandatorily pass the ONCeT examination without which they are not allowed to conduct the training programme. Apart from the initial TOT and ONCeT certification for Learning Facilitators / Trainers, BSDM also conducts periodic capacity building sessions at the State and District level and also through Web Learning mode.

Monitoring the programme:

BSDM follows a multi-pronged approach to monitor the KYP programme:

• A team of District Skill Managers have been deployed at each district for periodic visits to monitor the progress of each centre.
• The District Administration has also been entrusted the task of monitoring the training conducted on a periodic basis.
• Real time Bio-metric Attendance system has been put in place to capture the daily 'in' and 'out' timings of enrolled candidates.
• Finally the most robust mechanism used for monitoring is the use of individual learning reports backed by time stamped snapshots captured by the Web cameras installed in each Laptop/PC in the training center. BSDM can, at any time, access the student-wise learning reports along with the time stamped photographs through a centralized login. Not only photographs, BSDM also has access to short videos (termed as e-process folios) prepared by the candidates themselves performing certain assignments while undergoing the training programme.

Key takeaways

Capacity: Increase in training capacity

• Minimum one centre in each of the 534 blocks for imparting training under KYR.
• A strong pool of trainers developed through a mandatory Training of Trainers programme.

Access: Increase in access

• Training centres at each Block would mean getting training centre to the doorstep of the youth.
• State wide social mobilisation drives would help increase the awareness which in-turn will result in higher access / participation

Relevance: High relevance

• Package of Life skills, Communications Skills (English & Hindi) and Basic computer literacy will increase the employability of youth
• The training will assist the candidates across all walks of life.

Perception: The following improves the perception

• Qualified, experienced and certified trainers
• Use of high quality E-Learning mode and content of training

For more information, visit http://skillmissionbihar.org/kushal-yuva-program

Source : Skilling for employability - Best Practices