THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Covid-19 has aggravated the lingering challenges in the labour sector and exposed the fault-lines along development models across the globe, but an emerging power like India is better placed if its states have strong institutions in social justice and public welfare, an international conference organised by the Kerala State Planning Board noted today.
Kerala is implementing projects worth emulation by taking care that its educational system meets the needs of the industry and businesses, according to a key session at the three-day ‘Kerala Looks Ahead’ Conference.
The state can become India’s human resources capital if the government woos MNCs to open their R&D centres, expatriates to launch start-ups through venture capital funding and divert students at the school level towards trades that interest them, speakers suggested at a session on ‘Modern Skill Development’ at the February 1-3 conclave.
Also, educational institutions should shift to project-based learning and enjoy incentives for better placement systems. India must move towards a labour market that is more inclusive by implementing regulations, the experts said.
Ju-Ho Lee, Chairperson and CEO of Education Commission Asia, spoke on the role of ‘High Touch High Tech’ in transforming education after the pandemic. A major change will set in on “how we teach and how we learn”, he noted. “From mass standardisation, we will be shifting to mass personalisation. It won’t just be ‘taking tests’ from now; it will be ‘learning to learn’. Learning will also change from ‘vertical’ to ‘horizontal’ by working with peer students with teachers as facilitators. Further, ‘shallow’ learning based on memorisation and rote will be transformed into ‘deep’ by focusing on basic concepts and higher-order thinking skills such as analysing, applying and creating.”
Peter Rechmann, Deputy Head, German Office for International Cooperation in Vocational Education and Training (GOVET), said the West European country pitches on five factors for the success of the mission. They are cooperation of government, business community and social partners; learning within the work process through in-company training; follow national standards across the country; ensure the staff is well trained and promote institutionalised research.
Sukti Dasgupta, Chief of Employment (Labour Market Policies and Youth), International Labour Organisation, pointed out that Covid-19 has accelerated moves towards digitisation. India is one of the largest suppliers of gig workers, she said highlighting the need for environmentally sustainable modes of production.
Gabriel S Bordado, Skills and Employability Specialist, ILO, recommended foundations skills backed by adaptability, teamwork and innovation. “Skills anticipation is vital. We should use technology to promote flexible learning options,” he said.
Atul Kumar Tiwari, Professor of Economics at Institute of Rural Management, noted that any skilling ecosystem depends on two primary things. “One is its link with the modern education system. And how economic development drives it,” he said. “The top sectors in Kerala that are poised for a growth in demand are transport and logistics, rubber and chemicals, hydrocarbons, ITeS and construction.”
Srinivas B Reddy, Chief, Skills and Employability Branch, ILO, said the changing nature of skills require people to be continuously updating themselves. “People should be trained right from their start of education to keep learning as well as unlearning,” he pointed out.
Macro economist Prof Santosh Mehrotra of Jawaharlal Nehru University said the focus of the skilling ecosystem should be on those that have been generating jobs in this century. They include e-commerce, water transport, insurance and pension fund, IT, education and health, he said.
Jeemol Unni, who is a Professor of Economics with Amrut Mody School of Management, stressed on the need to grasp the basic concepts and apply them instead of learning by rote.
Earlier, Kerala Labour and Excise Minister T P Ramakrishnan stressed the need for modernising manufacturing and service sectors, while protecting all employment sectors. “The changes in the labour market can only be utilised by developing knowledge through skill development,” he added, listing out the government’s steps towards moulding the youth as an effective workforce.
Health, Social Justice and Woman and Child Development Minister K K Shailaja highlighted the importance of plugging gender gaps in the state’s economy. “With challenges come opportunities,” she said, emphasising on the need to promote startups and encourage young entrepreneurs.
State Planning Board Vice-Chairman Prof V K Ramachandran pointed out that Kerala has recently seen better public schooling, ITeS, transport, storage and communication, banking, insurance, construction, healthcare and tourism. “The state’s workforce is preferred not just in other parts of the country, but abroad as well,” he added.
State Planning Board member Prof Mridul Eapen welcomed the gathering and her colleague Prof K Ravi Raman was the moderator.
