Skill Development in Andhra Pradesh

(This Note was submitted to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.)

It was reported in a section of the media that the Government of Andhra Pradesh is contemplating to conduct Skill Census. Obviously, the Census will throw light on the ground situation in respect of skills available, not available and not likely to be available after some time. This is a welcome step, but what would be the next agenda? What are the likely policy initiatives that one can expect before or after conducting a Skill Census.

Indian society once upon a time was having four main occupations, in the form of Varna System. These occupations were (i) trainers, (ii) security personnel, (iii) agriculturists & businessmen and (iv) support staff. Subsequently, the structure had undergone different mutations. Be that as it may, the four occupations have a great relevance in the present context of skill development as well. The first occupation was providing skills in respect of all the occupations / avocations required in the society. The second one was providing security from internal and external threats. The third one was producing goods and services and providing food, other necessities and services to the society. The fourth one was providing support to the first three occupations. One can see that the Occupational Classification of the Varna System was so complete and comprehensive that even today, any occupation or avocation will invariably fall under one of the four categories of the Varna System. The Government shall keep this philosophy and purpose in mind and aim to nurture all the occupations, in a manner suitable to the present context and for the future.

The aim of the Government shall be, to broadly meet the skill requirements for all the activities mentioned below, which any individual in a society needs, namely, –

In terms of involvement of individuals, two sets of persons are to be targeted. The first set is trainers (irrespective of their caste or religion in the present context), which was the first occupation in the Varna System and the second set contains all those, who are presently working and / or likely to work in the future. To nurture the trainers, it would be necessary to ensure that the pay packages / wages / emoluments, recognition and facilities etc., to be provided to them would be lucrative and attractive. If this is not done, the occupation will not attract talent. The society is presently facing this problem, as the trainers are either inadequate in number or are of inadequate skills. Once upon a time, top rankers in Universities / Colleges used to occupy the positions of teachers and trainers. That is not the case now, as such people are taking up other occupations, because they give not only recognition but also adequate remuneration. This is a very serious problem. The Government should primarily address this problem.

Regarding the second set, i.e., those who are to be trained, it may not be adequate to target the labour force alone. Labour force includes only those who are working and those who are willing to work but are not working. The concept of demographic dividend covers a much wider target group. It includes not only the labour force, but also the persons, not motivated or skilled to work but if motivated and trained could work, and the next generation to be prepared to take the mantle further. Thus, the Government may enhance the scope of the target group.

Educational systems in the schools need strengthening to inculcate among the children the dignity of labour and to provide them skills in hygienic living, nutrition, preventive practices to keep diseases away, household chores and small avocations useful in their neighbourhood.

The local skill requirements vary from place to place, and global skill requirements would be totally in a different domain. The second one shall be in the jurisdiction of the Central and State Governments and the first one shall ideally be in the domain of local governments, such as the Panchayats and Municipalities. The Government may specifically provide for such a division of responsibilities. The Central and State Governments shall inter alia look for not only self-sufficiency but also for developing resources for producing goods and services required in other countries (exports).

The Government should provide for developing a contingent of trainers, as also the resource persons to prepare trainers from among persons, which includes institutions, companies and organisations within and outside the Government. This will facilitate imparting skill development in a decentralised manner. The skill requirements in rural urban areas would be altogether different, compared to urban areas. Rural artisans, who were available in every village once upon a time, are now available only at the level of a group of villages. Thus, one can see waning of certain occupations. This process should be reversed through appropriate policy interventions. The rural areas also require some new skills in the present context in the areas such as biogas, solar energy, advanced cultivation methods, improving drainage systems to counter floods, social forestry, waste management, developing organic fertilisers, and developing water storage such as digging ponds and wells to maintain ground water table. In Urban areas, specific requirements for training must be identified. Some of the areas are: Artificial Intelligence, Water harvesting, Energy conservation, Using waste lands for developing greenery, Helping local Government in regulating traffic, Maintenance of roads, Maintenance of water bodies like lakes and ponds, Maintenance of parks and public places in a hygienic condition, Availing education and health facilities, and Participation in Government programs. Specific measures need to be promoted in these areas, including enlisting of skills required at different places from time to time.

In a large country with high diversity, talents differ from place to place. There is a need to strengthen the information systems in all the sectors encompassing skill development, as it would provide for sharing of success stories and for assessing the status from time to time. This involves providing necessary infrastructure, defining the contents of different information systems, data flow and its updating for inclusion in the system, training for information providers, information maintenance machinery and most importantly the target groups for whom the information is meant. The Government may take appropriate steps in this subject area. A well-planned and well-executed skill development program will improve the level of living of our society.