A Creative Thanks Message from Benojir Yasmin

Benojir Yasmin an undergraduate student of geography who secured 99 out of 100 in HS, made this beautiful card for the foundation based on her subject. Thanks.

Importance of Vocational Training

Education is so much important in today’s life. As Swami Vivekananda had said “Education, education, education alone! Travelling through many cities of Europe and observing in them the comforts and education of even the poor people, there was brought to my mind the state of our own poor people, and I used to shed tears. What made the difference? Education was the answer I got. ” Here if we really look back to the word ‘education, ‘we just don’t understand knowledge associated with books. The definition of education has been “the process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university”. This systematic instruction method has undergone change, with time, lot of other aspects has been added to the word EDUCATION.

If we go back to the words of Swamaji, we find that while he was travelling to Europe he had observed how education was used among people to help the mankind and the nation to be build.  In the same way if our Nation and our mankind is required to rise, and become “Bharat abar jagato shabhae shestro ashno pabae”, then we have to look back to that education system, which is not only restricted to academic knowledge, but something along with that. And here it comes the opportunity of Vocational Education / Training, which is so much popular among the European countries. 

Now one may question, what is Vocational education / Training, well to look into that, its a method of education and training which aims to equip people with knowledge, know-how, skills and or competences required in particular occupations or more broadly on the labour market. Labour or skilled people are the back bone of any industry, so here the role of vocational training is an important element.

If we look back to our historical background of the nation, vocational training was also part of our culture. It can be traced back to 1000 BC where we had these technical system of education of carpentry, smithy, foundry and weaving. During the medieval period this vocational training in the country reached its peaked, where the Archaeologists have founded traces of high quality articles such as cotton and silk fabrics, embroidery painted and enamelled wares, gold and silver jewellery, swords and knives, potters, metal utensils. Hence Vocational training was very was back bone of this nation in past. Slowly in the later part the technical education became a family related occupation and was passed down from generation to generation. This is where the culmination of ancient knowledge and modern technology have not taken place. And meanwhile through Industrial revolution lot of changes have come to World Scenario and as well as in India also. It was soon realised that the old system of training of artisans by passing on knowledge and skills from generation to generation of craftsmen and artisans were not useful.

So, if we look at the present context Vocational Education Training its important element in Modern India’s education initiative. So, in modern time Vocational Training / Education can be redefined as flexible, contemporary, relevant and creative. 

Going back to the ancient method of applied in Vocational Training in India, it was mainly pass on from male member in the family to next male member in the family. “Give a girl an education and introduce her properly into the world, and ten to one but she has the means of settling well, without further expense to anybody.”

― Jane Austen. 

This is what present India is thinking about women education, and it’s well applied in the field of Women Vocational Training. A woman has to be economically independent.

Those women due to different reasons cannot able higher education, could very well get into Vocational Educational Training. This is will be a combination of basic education, vocational skills, market skills and the ability to be independent and become an earning member in the family and a self independent individual in the society.

There are number of Vocational Skills / Education system available where any one can get trained in those particular course and be self-independent.  The course comprises of:

• Computer Operator & Programming Assistant 
• Architectural Draughtsmanship
• Secretarial Practice(English)
• Dress Making
• Hair & Skin Care
• Desk Top Publishing
• Fashion Technology
• Interior Decoration & Designing
• Secretarial Practice
• Principles of Teachings

One can do these course after 10^th standard or 12^th standard. Statistics reveal that employers prefer students with some general education skills in addition to vocational skills. Thus, in all schemes related to Vocational Education general education courses should be emphasized. E.g. Problem Solving, English, Soft Skills, Business Management etc. A very good example can be given from China there are three levels of vocational education:  junior secondary, senior secondary and tertiary. Junior vocational education refers to the vocational and technical education after primary school education and is a part of the 9-year compulsory education i.e. from age group of 13-15 years. 

The industrial and labour market trends clearly indicate the necessity of strengthening of vocational education in India. And with that each women empowerment is equally important in present scenario. Self-independent for any women is very much important. So, let us not only be educated, let us be well educated along with well-skilled.