There is a need for enhancement of infrastructure and scope for skill development, mapping, curriculum review, re-branding of Vocational training and evolving new options for higher education to enhance the employability of the youngsters passing out from the Indian technical institutions and universities, according to a Perception Analysis done by PHD Chamber.

According to Mr. Krishan Kalra, Secretary General , PHD Chamber , “Out of the 2 million graduates who pass out every year from various institutions, hardly 20 percent are employable and this holds good across the board of disciplines, namely engineering, information technology and financial services”.

The enrollment in Vocational training (percentage at secondary level) is extremely low as compared to countries like Israel, South Korea, Thailand and Japan. Even now there is a preference for the students to opt for university education, without realizing that it takes longer years for them to become an earning member.

The Perception Survey reveals that there is a pressing need to work in a mission mode towards universal secondary education and vocational education. More vocational institutes should be set up and there should be an increased interface between the industry, the Government and the institutions for evolving the syllabi, course materials and practical training of the students.

Yet another aspect is the promotion of fundamental research in the universities and higher schools of learning. Lack of remuneration for research, particularly the applied research has adversely affected the number of bright students opting for such profession. Their creative talents are diverted to professions, which command higher salaries and perquisites, the survey points out.

The perception survey was conducted under the aegis of PHD Chamber –KAF Project.  Since its inception in 1990, various activities undertaken by the project have been focusing on enhancing the employability of the people. It has been providing entrepreneurship training to young craftsman, orientation to those who wish to enter exports, training for improvement of quality awareness, financial management, HRD, IT etc. This Indo –German joint venture has trained more than 22,000 people and done more than 800 training programmes in small and remote places.