Chandra Kumar talks to SANGEETA YADAV about various apprenticeship programmes offered by SkillSonics. He says that By 2022, around 45 million skilled technicians in the engineering industry will be required
Tell us about the apprenticeship programmes offered by SkillSonicsIJ
SkillSonics offers customised technical and non-technical courses based on industry demands. The courses offered are drawn from the Swiss Vocational and Educational Training content and pedagogy. We offer three kinds of skill development programmes.
Multi-Skill Swiss Diploma Courses (two years after Industrial Training Institute (ITI) or three years after completion of class X). It includes Multi-skill Production Technician in mechanical/ electrical.
Functional Swiss Certificate Courses for advanced skills in one function (1 year after ITI). It includes production technician in electrical/ welding and fabrication/ machining/ painting.
Intensive Certificate Courses (from 5 to 120 days for working technicians) for continuous learning through modular, practical-oriented content are also available.
What is the purpose of launching this programmeIJ
Various analyses peg the need for skilled technicians for the engineering industry to around 45 million by 2022. But in addition to capacity constraints in skilled new technicians, there are gaps in productivity and relevant knowledge expectations. Entry level technicians require 9 to 15 months of induction training at company facilities before being productive and role ready. Hence, SkillSonics programmes address the skill gap among the blue collar technicians and provides skill upgradation to existing technicians at companies, to meet global skilling standards.
Tell us about the certificationIJ
At the end of the course, the apprentices take exams for the Indian National Apprenticeship and Swissmem Certification (as applicable). Dual certification ensures national and international recognition.
How does this workIJ
The SkillSonics approach adapts Swiss content and pedagogical methods in the vocational training space to the Indian context. The company selects its apprentice and commits to his/her training. The apprentice learns theory at institutes accredited by the Government and receives practical training (including productive assignments) at his/her host company.
SkillSonics trains the trainers at the institutes and at the company, provides the content for delivering the programme and monitors the deliverables periodically to ensure quality. SkillSonics also conducts rigorous assessments at regular intervals, during the training. Depending on the programme taken, the apprentice becomes a multi-skilled technician after a two to three years’ course or a specialist technician after a one year course, both being international level qualifications.
What is the feeIJ
The company pays for the training of apprentices attached to the company or for training of their existing technicians.
How and when was this launchedIJ
The Swiss Vocational Education and Training Initiative (SVETI) India was launched as a three-year pilot project in 2008. The initiative was set up by the Swiss Federal Office for Professional Education and Technology (OPET) and Swiss Indian Chamber of Commerce (SICC), Switzerland along with Nacks Ventures in partnership with the Swiss Mechanical and Electrical Manufacturing Industries (SwissMEM) and the Swiss Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (SFIVET).
The pilot project was implemented with nine companies in four states participating through 150 plus apprentices and 100 plus experienced trainers.