Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Dec 26: In a move that would build skills among youths and eradicate unemployment, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has introduced a bachelor’s course in Vocational studies (B Voc) which will be available for students of undergraduate colleges and universities from the next academic year.
The UGC has asked all government colleges and universities across the state to apply for the programme at their respective institutions by January 31 latest.
The UGC has launched the course keeping in mind the requirement of a skilled workforce in order to curb unemployment. Such courses will ensure students get professional skills which will make them work-ready, UGC sources said.
The certification level of the vocational studies will be awarded through a bachelor’s degree of three years, a diploma of one year and an advanced diploma of two years as part of college and university education under the National Skilled Qualification Framework (NSQF).
The programmes will focus on providing skill-development training in renewable energy management, retail management, food processing, healthcare, hospitality and tourism, green house technology, business process outsourcing and jewellery designing.
According to sources, respective colleges and universities will have to figure out the potential of their locality in respect to job perspectives. The institutions can also consider providing programmes in automobile, entertainment, telecommunications, marketing, agriculture, construction, applied arts, printing and publishing sectors as per the potential of their areas.
The curriculum of the programmes has been designed in such a manner that at the end of any respective year, students will be able to leave the course and join various jobs that they might be offered.
