World Bank Launches ‘Jobs at Your Doorstep’ Report in Delhi

The Union Minister for Education, Dharmendra Pradhan, along with Minister of Labour and Employment, Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, launched the World Bank’s report titled Jobs at Your Doorstep: A Jobs Diagnostics for Young People in Six States in New Delhi on November 22, 2024. The report focuses on bridging skill gaps in young people and aligning school curricula with industry needs.

Key Highlights

Launch Event Details

• Date: November 22, 2024
• Location: New Delhi
• Attendees: Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, World Bank officials, Ministry officials, and school principals.

Purpose of the Report

• The report aims to analyze the skills gap and align the trades taught in schools with the specific industry needs in local districts.
• It focuses on six states under the STARS initiative by the Ministry of Education and the World Bank.

States Covered in the Report,

• Himachal Pradesh
• Kerala
• Madhya Pradesh
• Maharashtra
• Odisha
• Rajasthan

Focus Areas

• Skills Gap Analysis: The report emphasizes understanding the mismatch between skills taught in schools and industry-specific needs.
• Skill-based Education: Promotes embedding skill-based education from grades 9-12 to enhance career readiness.
• Bottom-Up Approach: The research was conducted at the district level in these states to gain insights into the local requirements.
• Pan-India Framework: Dharmendra Pradhan recommended expanding the framework to a pan-India level for more comprehensive data.

Importance of Skilling in Schools

• Pradhan highlighted the need to begin skilling efforts in schools, citing the vision of National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) to mainstream skill education.
• The skills-based approach is expected to prepare students for a range of career paths, contributing to the country’s economic growth.

Government’s Perspective

• Pradhan urged for a broader definition of “jobs” to include economic opportunities and empowerment, especially in the context of India’s growing youth population.

NEP 2020 and Skill Development

• Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy, emphasized consistent practice to master skills, aligning with the NEP 2020’s recommendation of diligence in education.