{"id":14657,"date":"2025-09-04T14:31:03","date_gmt":"2025-09-04T14:31:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.smilefoundationindia.org\/blog\/?p=14657"},"modified":"2025-09-20T16:11:52","modified_gmt":"2025-09-20T16:11:52","slug":"skilling-programmes-in-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.smilefoundationindia.org\/blog\/skilling-programmes-in-india\/","title":{"rendered":"Why India\u2019s Youth Remain Sceptical of Skilling Programmes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-decade-of-skilling-programmes-a-generation-of-doubts\"><strong>A Decade of Skilling Programmes, A Generation of Doubts<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>July 15, 2025, was a double milestone. The world marked the <strong>10th anniversary of World Youth Skills Day (WYSD)<\/strong> and India celebrated a decade of its flagship <strong>Skill India Mission<\/strong>. It was meant to be a proud moment. After all, India boasts one of the world\u2019s largest young workforces and skilling programmes were to be the lever for transforming this demographic dividend into economic gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But if you listen to young people \u2014 the very beneficiaries these programmes are meant for \u2014 the mood is more sceptical than celebratory. They carry certificates, but not confidence. They attend classes, but don\u2019t land jobs. They scroll through job portals and wonder if all the promises of Skill India were just another chapter in the long book of missed opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-data-behind-the-disillusion\"><strong>The Data Behind the Disillusion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>7 out of 10 youth are economically disengaged<\/strong> because they lack market-ready skills.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>86% of students<\/strong> report they don\u2019t feel prepared for jobs involving AI and emerging technologies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In 2022, only <strong>40.3% of young men<\/strong> and a shocking <strong>27.4% of young women<\/strong> were employed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>90% of adolescent girls and young women in low-income countries<\/strong> lack internet access, locking them out of digital skilling opportunities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In 2023-24, only <strong>14.29% of vocational trainees<\/strong> undertook courses, and the share of trainees attending ultra-short courses (&lt; six months) jumped from <strong>22% to 44%<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Even among those trained, <strong>youth unemployment remains high at ~17%<\/strong>, raising tough questions about programme effectiveness.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Verifiable data show <strong>low placement offers<\/strong>, despite official reports claiming otherwise.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Apprenticeships<\/strong> remain a tiny fraction of India\u2019s workforce, cutting off crucial pathways for on-the-job learning.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>India has allocated billions of rupees to skilling programmes like PMKVY (Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana), NAPS (National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme) and Skill India\u2019s digital and international tracks. But, outcomes remain patchy, monitoring weak and long-term impact poorly evaluated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>No wonder youth view the ecosystem with suspicion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-trust-deficit-in-skilling-programmes\"><strong>The Trust Deficit<\/strong> <strong>in Skilling Programmes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Ask any student or trainee and they will tell you: the problem isn\u2019t unwillingness to work \u2014 it\u2019s mistrust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Short-termism over substance:<\/strong><br>Most courses last weeks, sometimes just days. Certificates are issued, targets ticked off, but depth is missing. Employers demand problem-solving skills and real proficiency. Youth end up over-certified and under-prepared.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Curriculum misalignment:<\/strong><br>Training modules often lag behind market needs. While courses teach basic digital literacy, companies are hiring for coding, data analysis or domain-specific software. The disconnect fuels frustration.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lack of mentorship:<\/strong><br>Even when jobs are secured, poor onboarding and zero mentoring result in high turnover. Youth feel abandoned, questioning whether training centres or employers genuinely invested in their success.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-global-models-show\"><strong>What Global Models Show<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The contrast with global best practices is stark:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Germany\u2019s Dual <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smilefoundationindia.org\/education\/\"   title=\"Education\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\"  data-wpil-monitor-id=\"2752\">Education<\/a> System<\/strong> blends classroom learning with apprenticeships, ensuring graduates step into the workforce job-ready. Industry and educators co-design curricula, keeping it relevant.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Singapore\u2019s SkillsFuture Initiative<\/strong> (2015) focuses on lifelong learning, offering financial incentives for continuous education tailored to individual career paths. It prepares citizens for both present and future skills.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Both systems underscore what India lacks in terms of employer integration, quality assurance, mentorship and transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-india-s-youth-call-skilling-a-mirage\"><strong>Why India\u2019s Youth Call Skilling a Mirage<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Beyond systemic flaws, the numbers reflect social realities:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Gender disparity<\/strong>: With only 27.4% of young women in jobs, India\u2019s skilling ecosystem fails to address structural barriers like unpaid care work, mobility, and safety.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Digital divide<\/strong>: 90% of adolescent girls in low-income countries lack internet access \u2014 India\u2019s rural youth face the same barrier, especially in states like Bihar or Jharkhand. Without connectivity, digital skilling remains rhetoric.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Stigma<\/strong>: Vocational training still carries the label of \u201csecond-class education.\u201d Parents push for degrees, even if jobless, rather than skills training that may lead to modest employment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>All of this combines to create a perfect storm of mistrust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-smile-foundation-a-community-driven-alternative\"><strong>Smile Foundation: A Community-Driven Alternative<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of chasing numbers, Smile Foundation designs training around actual community needs and industry linkages. Its specialised centres across India train low-income youth in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Digital marketing<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Data entry and IT services<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Retail and customer service<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Hospitality and healthcare support<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Courses don\u2019t just deliver technical know-how. They embed soft skills, communication and life skills so trainees can navigate interviews, workplaces and long-term careers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Importantly, Smile aligns courses with industry demand collaborating with employers ensures trainees graduate into roles with actual openings. This approach breaks the cycle of \u201ccertificates without jobs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Smile\u2019s work also tackles inclusivity. Many of its trainees are women, first-generation learners or youth from disadvantaged backgrounds. By reducing dropout rates, providing mentorship and creating job linkages, the programme chips away at the trust deficit plaguing India\u2019s larger skilling ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-way-forward-for-skilling-programmes\"><strong>The Way Forward<\/strong> <strong>for Skilling Programmes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>India cannot afford for its youth to lose faith in skilling. The demographic dividend will not last forever and mistrust corrodes ambition. Restoring confidence requires:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Long-term, quality training<\/strong> \u2014 shift from token short courses to year-long, employer-linked programmes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Transparency &amp; accountability<\/strong> \u2014 independent audits of placement rates, salaries and long-term employment impact.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Industry integration<\/strong> \u2014 continuous employer feedback to keep curricula current.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Digital inclusion<\/strong> \u2014 expand connectivity for rural youth, especially girls.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mentorship &amp; support<\/strong> \u2014 structured onboarding and workplace mentoring to reduce attrition.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Equity focus<\/strong> \u2014 tailor programmes for women, rural youth and marginalised groups.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-can-trust-be-restored\"><strong>Can Trust Be Restored?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Ten years into Skill India, scepticism is the biggest obstacle. Young people don\u2019t lack ambition but there is still hesitation about their lack in belief that the system will deliver. Certificates without jobs, short-term courses, inflated claims \u2014 these erode trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But models like Smile Foundation\u2019s <strong><a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smilefoundationindia.org\/livelihood\/\"   title=\"Livelihood\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\"  data-wpil-monitor-id=\"2751\">livelihood<\/a> <\/strong>programme show another way rooted in community, aligned with industry and focused on dignity as much as employability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If India truly wants to unlock its demographic advantage, it must learn from its youth that trust isn\u2019t built by slogans but by outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>Source Links:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smilefoundationindia.org\/smile-twin-e-learning-programme\/\">Smile Foundation \u2013 Livelihood Programme<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smilefoundationindia.org\/smile-foundations-life-cycle-approach-to-development-is-bettering-the-lives-of-women-and-children-across-india\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Smile Foundation \u2013 Mission Education &amp; Livelihood Impact<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/daanutsav.org\/about-us\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Daan Utsav Overview \u2013 daanutsav.org<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.un.org\/en\/observances\/world-youth-skills-day\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">UNESCO WYSD<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ten years into Skill India, young people remain sceptical. Short-term courses and weak job linkages erode trust. With unemployment still high, certificates don\u2019t guarantee careers. Smile Foundation\u2019s livelihood programmes offer a credible alternative \u2014 industry-linked, inclusive and rooted in community \u2014 showing how skilling can restore dignity and opportunity.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14376,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[34],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14657","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-livelihood"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smilefoundationindia.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14657","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smilefoundationindia.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smilefoundationindia.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smilefoundationindia.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smilefoundationindia.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14657"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.smilefoundationindia.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14657\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smilefoundationindia.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14376"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smilefoundationindia.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14657"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smilefoundationindia.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14657"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smilefoundationindia.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14657"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}