Cloud computing allows for the provision of IT resources on the internet with a pay-per-use model. Instead of purchasing, owning and maintaining data centers and servers, you can access computing power, storage and databases as needed through a cloud service provider like Amazon Web Services (AWS). This eliminates the need for physical infrastructure and provides greater flexibility and scalability.
“Skill education refers to training in specific professional skills that provides a competitive advantage in the workforce. Around the world, countries have incorporated skill education into their education systems to foster entrepreneurship. In contrast, India still views skill education as limited to vocational or short-term courses designed to secure employment.”
In the rapidly changing world of work, traditional degrees and certificates are no longer enough to guarantee success. With technology evolving at a breakneck pace, there is a growing demand for individuals who have the skills and knowledge to adapt and thrive in the new economy. Skill education is a type of education that focuses on practical, job-specific training and is crucial for success in the modern world of work.
Skill education refers to training in specific professional skills that provide a competitive advantage in the workforce. Unlike traditional education that focuses on theoretical knowledge, skill education is designed to prepare individuals for the practical challenges of the workplace. Skill education programs can be anything from short-term vocational courses to longer-term apprenticeships, and can cover a wide range of industries, including technology, business, health care, and more.
One of the main benefits of skill education is that it helps bridge the skills gap between what employers need and what workers can provide. With technology changing so rapidly, employers need workers who have the latest skills and knowledge to keep up with the changing landscape. Skill education programs provide workers with the training and experience they need to succeed in their chosen field.
The world of work is rapidly changing, and many of the jobs that will exist in the future haven’t even been created yet. Skill education is crucial for preparing individuals for the future of work by providing them with the skills and knowledge they need to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Skill education can also help improve employment prospects by providing individuals with the practical skills and knowledge that are in demand in the workforce. With a focus on hands-on, job-specific training, skill education programs can help individuals stand out from the competition and increase their chances of securing a job.
Skill education can also play a key role in encouraging entrepreneurship by providing individuals with the skills and knowledge they need to start their own business. With a focus on practical, hands-on training, skill education programs can help individuals develop the confidence and knowledge they need to succeed as entrepreneurs.
Finally, skill education can also be a cost-effective alternative to traditional education. Skill education programs are often shorter and more focused than traditional education programs, which can help reduce the cost and time required to obtain the training needed for a specific job.
Vocational training programs are short-term courses designed to provide individuals with the skills and knowledge they need to start work in a specific field. These programs often focus on hands-on, job-specific training and can be completed in a matter of weeks or months.
Apprenticeships are longer term training programs that involve on-the-job experience and mentorship from a skilled professional. These programs can last anywhere from several months to several years, and are designed to provide individuals with a deeper understanding of their chosen field and the skills they need to succeed in it.
With the rise of technology and the internet, online courses and certifications have become an increasingly popular form of skill education. These programs are often flexible, self-paced, and can be taken from anywhere with an internet connection. They offer individuals the opportunity to gain new skills and knowledge at their own pace, and can be an affordable and convenient alternative to traditional education.
Workshops and bootcamps are short-term, intensive training programs that provide individuals with hands-on, job-specific training in a particular field. These programs are designed to be fast-paced and focused, and are ideal for individuals who are looking to quickly acquire new skills and knowledge in a specific area.
In the United States, skill education is widely recognized as an important component of the education system. The government has implemented several programs and initiatives to encourage the development and growth of the skills-based education sector, including funding for vocational and apprenticeship programs, and tax incentives for companies that invest in employee training and development.
In Europe, skill education has been a central component of the education system for many years. European countries have long recognized the importance of providing individuals with practical, hands-on training that prepares them for the challenges of the workforce. Many European countries have implemented vocational and apprenticeship programs as part of their education system, and have also established partnerships with businesses and industry groups to ensure that their skill education programs are aligned with the needs of the workforce.
In India, skill education is still in its early stages of development, but the government and private sector have both taken steps to encourage its growth. Despite a growing recognition of the importance of skill education, it is still considered a secondary form of education in India, and many individuals and families continue to prioritize traditional academic degrees over practical, job-specific training. However, as the economy continues to grow and the demand for skilled workers increases, the importance of skill education in India is likely to increase as well.
Skill education is a type of education that focuses on practical, job-specific training and is crucial for success in the modern world of work. With the rapid pace of change in technology and the global economy, the need for individuals with the skills and knowledge to adapt and thrive is greater than ever before. Skill education programs offer individuals the opportunity to gain the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their chosen field, and provide a cost-effective alternative to traditional education. Whether through vocational training, apprenticeships, online courses, or workshops, skill education is an investment in your future that is sure to pay off in the long run.
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) in consultation with Ministry of Education (MoE) has planned to implement the ‘Skill Hub Initiative’ under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 3.0 (PMKVY 3.0). Scheme aims to facilitate and make education more relevant and create industry fit skilled workforce.
Knowledge and skills are the driving forces for social development and economic growth for any country. As there is demand-supply mismatch, the economy needs more ‘skilled’ workforce than in the availability of it. In the school and higher education sphere, knowledge and skills are required for diverse forms of employment in all the industry sectors and other services. By realizing the importance and the necessity for developing skills among students, National Education Policy 2020 emphasised on mainstreaming vocational education and to enable removal of academic silos, a Credit based framework to ensure vertical and horizontal pathways for students and creating work-ready human capital.
1. The ‘Skill Hub Initiative’ under the PMKVY 3.0 scheme shall focus on the introduction of skill training programmes in the education ecosystems.
2. Initiative shall consider the policy level synergy on integration of vocational education with general education as envisioned in the ‘National Education Policy 2020’. The effort shall supplement the objectives of ‘National Policy for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, 2015’.
3. As envisioned in the Guidelines of the PMKVY 3.0, for creation of state-of-the-art and sustainable skill Training Centres, phase-wise introduction of vocational courses in school curriculum in coordination with Ministry of Education (MoE) is the need of the hour. This can be accomplished through technical support, greater cross utilization of available infrastructure from Universities/ Colleges/ Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs)/ Polytechnics/ Schools, strengthening of District Skill Committees (DSCs), State Skill Development Missions (SSDMs)/ State Directorate of Technical Education along with handholding, strategic and funding support.
In view of the above, successful integration of skilling with education will require support and synergy from every stakeholder(s) such as MoE, MSDE, other central Ministries/Departments, SSDMs, DSCs, Sector Skill Councils (SSCs), School boards and other key players like Schools, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), Polytechnics, Training Providers (TPs).
The ‘Skill Hub Initiative’ shall be implemented under Central component of PMKVY 3.0 through National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and support of State Education Department/Agencies. The implementation of the initiative shall ensure broad-based convergence of vocational education with formal education in a phased manner to achieve outcomes with speed and standard.
Skill Hubs are nodal skill centres identified to provide skill development and vocational training opportunities to target population segments from class 6-8th (introduction to world-of-work through orientation, industry visits, bag-less days), 9th to 12th (aimed at exposing students to skill development avenues), school dropouts and out-of-education (aimed for academic credit, mainstreaming back to education and or apprenticeship and employment linkages).
Any entity from the below mentioned category will be selected as a Skill Hub depending on the available capacity and/ or previous experience of imparting vocational courses:
In its recent Educational 4.0 Report, the World Economic Forum explores how technology can improve student’s access to education and address learning gaps. A synthesis of the findings of the report highlights four priority intervention areas. These are foundational numeracy and literacy (FLN), professional development for educators, career readiness, and connecting underserved students. Curriculum, content, capacity, community, and digital interventions are categorised under these five building blocks.
Educate 4.0 India leverages the efforts and interventions of both the central and state governments. By utilizing more adaptive learning systems and engaging communities, the recommendations can have a profound impact, ranging from improving educational accessibility to reducing dropout rates.
The Industrial Revolution 4.0 is the fourth industrial revolution in human history. Educators are abuzz with Education 4.0 due to the fourth industrial revolution sweeping all sectors, including the education sector. Education 4.0 India was launched in May 2020, bringing together over 40 partners from ed tech, government, academics, and start-ups. We are, therefore, on the verge of a new era in education; Education 4.0.
Technological advances, such as IoT, sensors, and automation, have already impacted India’s present education system in various ways. Furthermore, education today relies heavily on virtual communication systems and digital platforms. However, the Indian education system still faces internet protocol and communication systems issues. Teaching in some parts of the country is still dominated by traditional rote learning methods, which are not very practical for students. This type of conventional education pattern will not be helpful to students in the future.”
Education 4.0 aims to overcome the shortcomings of conventional ways of teaching and learning. Under Education 4.0, the primary responsibility for learning will shift from teachers to students. Classes will become more flexible in the next few years, accommodating diverse learning methods.
Because of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, novel and advanced educational institutions are emerging that offer education, research, and service differently, including massive open online courses (MOOC), virtual classrooms, virtual libraries, virtual laboratories, and virtual educators. Education 4.0 is also driving schools, colleges, and universities to upgrade themselves. Smart technology, artificial intelligence, and robotics are just a few examples of how the industrial revolution has impacted our daily lives. Therefore, to remain competitive, educational institutions are equipping students for a world in which cyber-physical systems permeate virtually every industry.”
Education 4.0 will also allow students to choose what they wish to learn. Moreover, each student will receive a customised learning experience. Also, a certain level of expertise will be required before they can move on to the next level.
Students will also have the option of selecting the learning tools they prefer. Also, the learning process will be more project-based for students to help them develop time-management or interpersonal skills to make them job-ready.
In addition to making digital learning central to education worldwide, the pandemic has exacerbated the digital divide, leaving those without internet connections and devices further behind. While some schools in India have limited access to computers, others have no internet access.
Education 4.0 will enhance teachers’ ability to deliver education in creative ways. The report suggests improving teacher training as a way to strengthen teachers’ ability to perform. Teachers are also involved in designing a comprehensive teacher capacity-building program that links training with career development.”
Industrial Revolution 4.0 will impact the Indian education system in a significant way via advanced technology. Powered by Artificial Intelligence, the Fourth Industrial Revolution will augment the learning experience and offer exciting opportunities for higher education, which may be able to transform Indian society in positive ways. As higher education moves into the 4th Industrial Revolution, it will provide quality teaching, enlighten learners through exploratory research, and sustain societal development while taking on an increasingly important role in the global education sector
STEM education, now also know as STEAM, is a multi-discipline approach to teaching.
STEM education is a teaching approach that combines science, technology, engineering and math. Its recent successor, STEAM, also incorporates the arts, which have the “ability to expand the limits of STEM education and application,” according to Stem Education Guide STEAM is designed to encourage discussions and problem-solving among students, developing both practical skills and appreciation for collaborations, according to the Institution for Art Integration and STEAM
Rather than teach the five disciplines as separate and discrete subjects, STEAM integrates them into a cohesive learning paradigm based on real-world applications.
According to the U.S. Department of Education “In an ever-changing, increasingly complex world, it’s more important than ever that our nation’s youth are prepared to bring knowledge and skills to solve problems, make sense of information, and know how to gather and evaluate evidence to make decisions.”
STEAM education is crucial to meet the needs of a changing world. According to an article from iD Tech millions of STEAM jobs remain unfilled in the U.S., therefore efforts to fill this skill gap are of great importance. According to a report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics there is a projected growth of STEAM-related occupations of 10.5% between 2020 and 2030 compared to 7.5% in non-STEAM-related occupations. The median wage in 2020 was also higher in STEAM occupations ($89,780) compared to non-STEAM occupations ($40,020).
Between 2014 and 2024, employment in computer occupations is projected to increase by 12.5 percent between 2014 and 2024, according to a STEAM occupation report(opens in new tab). With projected increases in STEAM-related occupations, there needs to be an equal increase in STEAM education efforts to encourage students into these fields otherwise the skill gap will continue to grow.
STEAM jobs do not all require higher education or even a college degree. Less than half of entry-level STEAM jobs require a bachelor’s degree or higher, according to skills gap website Burning Glass Technologies. However, a four-year degree is incredibly helpful with salary — the average advertised starting salary for entry-level STEAM jobs with a bachelor’s requirement was 26 percent higher than jobs in the non-STEAM fields.. For every job posting for a bachelor’s degree recipient in a non-STEAM field, there were 2.5 entry-level job postings for a bachelor’s degree recipient in a STEAM field.
What separates STEAM from traditional science and math education is the blended learning environment and showing students how the scientific method can be applied to everyday life. It teaches students computational thinking and focuses on the real-world applications of problem-solving. As mentioned before, STEAM education begins while students are very young:
Elementary school — STEAM education focuses on the introductory level STEAM courses, as well as awareness of the STEAM fields and occupations. This initial step provides standards-based structured inquiry-based and real-world problem-based learning, connecting all four of the STEAM subjects. The goal is to pique students’ interest into them wanting to pursue the courses, not because they have to. There is also an emphasis placed on bridging in-school and out-of-school STEAM learning opportunities.
Middle school — At this stage, the courses become more rigorous and challenging. Student awareness of STEAM fields and occupations is still pursued, as well as the academic requirements of such fields. Student exploration of STEAM-related careers begins at this level, particularly for underrepresented populations.
High school — The program of study focuses on the application of the subjects in a challenging and rigorous manner. Courses and pathways are now available in STEAM fields and occupations, as well as preparation for post-secondary education and employment. More emphasis is placed on bridging in-school and out-of-school STEAM opportunities. Much of the STEAM curriculum is aimed toward attracting underrepresented populations. There is a significant disparity in the female to male ratio when it comes to those employed in STEAM fields, according to Stem Women. Approximately 1 in 4 STEAM graduates is female.
