Skill Development Programmes in Maharashtra and Bridging the Skill Gap through Behavioural Economics

Abstract

In the recent years India has laid a lot of emphasis on upskilling and knowledge development and in creating a knowledge pool. In the National Education Policy 2020 also, a special emphasis is given on introducing new upskilling courses. However, we see a mismatch or a skill gap between what is being imparted in the form of education and what skills are being demanded by the industry. We find a focus on new practices and development of new education systems and learning methods, where we see a shift from single line of expertise to various line of options that could be selected and a shift from importance given to degree courses to upskilling courses. The aim of this shift is to improve the employability by building on competitive skills to face the aggressive global market. Moreover, the competencies gap on the economic surroundings amongst the corporate and industry expectations need to be mapped with the education outputs. The gap between actual and required has to be closed or reduced to achieve the desired results.
This research paper is based on the insightful feedbacks from industry experts and trainees in Maharashtra in BFSI, IT-ITeS, Retail and Textile Sector, who could bring about the nuances as to how much is the job fit criteria relevant and is there a need for fresh skills set in the technological and AI driven world. A primary data collection based on some principles of Behavioral Economics is carried out in the research.