Delhi : The All India Council for Technical Education is implementing the “National Vocational Education Qualification Framework” (NVEQF) to equip the students with skills and general education through short term, structured and job oriented courses in AICTE approved Engineering Colleges, Polytechnics and other Non-AICTE approved Colleges. The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), Govt. of India has issued an executive order regarding implementation of NVEQF.

Under the proposed Framework, a student can study for a Vocational Diploma and/or Degree (B.Voc) depending on the accumulated credits by undergoing various modules at levels through 1-7.  NVEQF provides for multiple pathways between formal, vocational education and job markets.

Focussing on this strive, AICTE, has identified 15 vocational education sectors along with more than 50 specializations for implementation. It has organized NVEQF workshops for the development of Skill & Education Content for the sectors like Automobile, IT, ITEs, Telecom, Communication, Entertainment, Tourism, Hospitality, Construction, Infrastructure, Agriculture and Paramedical, Apparel & Textile, Culture, Adventure Sports, Media etc.  Several workshops have been conducted in various States for institutionalising the same. Embarking on this venture, AICTE also invited applications from Institutes for registration as Skill Knowledge Providers(SKP) to provide competency based skills for being approved for conduct of Vocational Education programs to be conducted in Engg., Polytechnics and other colleges. Another initiative of AICTE is the concept of “Community Colleges” started in AICTE approved polytechnics and other colleges in India to impart 5 levels of training with 1000 hours of learning of Vocational and General Education at each level.

AICTE has compiled and published the “Approval Process Handbook(Vocational Education & Community College Courses) 2013-14 available at www.aicte-india.org facilitating the institutions to apply for approval under NVEQF through a single window application form.

In order to discuss the operationalization and effective implementation of NVEQF, AICTE organised a National workshop on-“Skilling India for next decade through National Vocational Education Qualification Framework (NVEQF) on 30th September 2013” at Ashok Hotel, 50 B, Diplomatic Enclave, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021 from 10.00 A.M to 5.00 P.M

The workshop was chaired by Dr. M. M. Pallam Raju, Hon’ble Minister for HRD Human Resource Development, Govt. of India. The Hon’ble Ministers of State, HRD Dr. Shashi Tharoor and Shri Jitin Prasada also graced the occasion as guests of honour. Shri Ashok Thakur, Secretary, Higher Education, MHRD delivered the introductory address.

The workshop was attended by Vice Chancellors, Secretaries of different Ministries, Secretaries of State Government for Technical/ Higher Education, Directors/Commissioners of Technical Education Department of all the States/UTs, Principal of Institutes and other senior functionaries etc.

Source : Sachin Murdeshwar