The Union government’s initiative to introduce vocational education from Grade 6 under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan is a positive step towards bridging the gap between education and employability. By equipping students with practical skills early on, this move enhances their readiness for the job market. However, while the intent is laudable, the effectiveness of this initiative depends on addressing key challenges, including the preparedness of schools, infrastructure gaps, and industry alignment. Without a well-structured implementation strategy, vocational education in schools risks becoming yet another underutilised policy rather than a transformational tool.
Several countries have successfully integrated vocational training into their educational systems, offering valuable lessons for India. Germany’s dual education system blends classroom instruction with hands-on industrial training, ensuring that students graduate with skills directly relevant to industry demands. China has also made significant strides in this area, boasting approximately 11,300 vocational schools with an enrolment of 30.88 million students. The country produces nearly 10 million skilled graduates annually, ensuring a steady supply of trained workers to meet labour market needs.
India, however, lags significantly in vocational training. According to available data, only 4.1% of individuals aged 15-59 have received formal vocational education. This disparity highlights the urgent need for a systemic overhaul to strengthen the country’s skill development ecosystem and bring it closer to global best practices.
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Need for stronger industry linkages
Some Indian states have taken proactive steps in integrating vocational education within their school curricula. West Bengal, for instance, has introduced skill-based training in nearly 2,000 schools, offering courses in electronics, IT, hospitality, and healthcare. Supported by the Utkarsh Bangla Scheme, the initiative has successfully trained over six lakh youth annually, making it one of the most extensive skill development programmes in India.
Despite these efforts, West Bengal faces challenges in establishing strong industry-academia linkages. Unlike Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, where industry partnerships play a crucial role in shaping vocational education, West Bengal still struggles with forging meaningful collaborations. Tamil Nadu, for example, has effectively integrated vocational training within state-funded polytechnic institutions, ensuring a smoother transition from school to employment. Without stronger industry engagement, vocational education risks becoming disconnected from actual labour market requirements, limiting its effectiveness.
Infrastructure gap a major roadblock
One of the most significant hurdles in expanding vocational education is inadequate infrastructure. The National Sample Survey (NSS) 2018-19 highlights that 40% of government schools in India lack proper laboratory facilities, making hands-on training extremely difficult. In West Bengal, while urban schools in Kolkata, Howrah, and Siliguri are relatively better equipped, rural and semi-urban schools continue to suffer from a lack of well-equipped workshops and trained faculty.
A cautionary tale comes from the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), which faced issues due to rapid implementation without adequate infrastructure. Despite high enrolment numbers, many trained students struggled to secure employment, revealing the risks of rolling out large-scale vocational programmes without ensuring proper facilities. To avoid similar pitfalls, a phased implementation strategy is necessary. Starting with well-equipped urban schools and gradually expanding to rural areas with appropriate investments in laboratories, tools, and faculty training would ensure a more sustainable rollout.
Industry collaboration: The missing link
For vocational education to be truly effective, collaboration with industry players is essential. However, India has struggled to attract private sector participation in vocational training. A FICCI-EY 2023 Report has revealed that 70% of Indian companies report skill shortages, yet few actively engage in training programmes.
Gujarat has successfully addressed this issue by encouraging private industries to co-manage Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), ensuring that training programmes remain industry-relevant. West Bengal, however, lags in this area, with limited corporate involvement in curriculum design. To bridge this gap, the state could adopt the Karnataka model, where IT firms like Infosys and Wipro actively train students, helping them transition from school to the workplace more seamlessly. Stronger industry partnerships would not only enhance employability but also ensure that vocational training aligns with emerging job market needs.
Ensuring the quality of vocational training is just as critical as expanding its reach. South Korea has achieved a 96% workforce participation rate among vocational education graduates due to standardised training and certification systems. In contrast, India’s Skill India Mission has struggled, with only 50% of its certified graduates finding employment.
West Bengal’s Utkarsh Bangla Scheme has made significant progress in providing short-term skill courses. However, without rigorous third-party audits and employer-based evaluations, the quality of training remains inconsistent. A possible solution lies in replicating Singapore’s Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) system, which continuously updates curricula based on employer feedback. By adopting similar quality assurance mechanisms, India can ensure that vocational training meets industry standards and enhances employability outcomes.
Future-proofing vocational education
Vocational education must evolve to meet the demands of the future job market. According to the India Skills Report 2024, only 47% of Indian youth are employable despite vocational training, largely due to mismatches between skills taught and industry needs.
While states like Andhra Pradesh have aggressively promoted training in renewable energy and artificial intelligence, West Bengal’s vocational programs remain largely focused on traditional trades like carpentry and plumbing. Given that India’s renewable energy sector alone will require 1.7 million skilled workers by 2027, it is imperative that vocational education programs shift their focus toward high-growth industries. Aligning training programs with future labour market trends will ensure that students acquire relevant and in-demand skills, making them better positioned for employment.
For vocational education to be truly transformative, several structural challenges must be addressed. Robust infrastructure is essential, ensuring that schools have well-equipped labs and trained faculty to facilitate practical learning. Equally important is strong industry participation, which can bridge the skill gap and make vocational training more relevant to market needs. Additionally, quality assurance mechanisms must be put in place to standardise training and improve employability rates. Finally, vocational education should be aligned with future job opportunities, ensuring that students develop skills suited for emerging industries rather than outdated trades.
If these systemic issues are tackled, vocational education in India has the potential to become a powerful tool for enhancing youth employability and driving economic growth. By ensuring proper implementation, India can build a workforce that is not only skilled but also prepared for the demands of a rapidly evolving job market.
Debdulal Thakur is Dean, Vinayaka Mission‘s School of Economics and Public Policy, Chennai.