Theme:
- In 2024, the Andhra Pradesh government is launching a ‘skill census’, the first of its kind in the country. The goal of this census is to identify the skills people have and the skills needed in the job market, so that the government can take steps to match them better, thereby addressing the skill gap and unemployment issues.
How the Skill census is conducted:
- In the skill census, the Andhra Pradesh government will assess the skill profiles of the working-age population (15 to 59 years). The census will record the skills that people have, including those they learned informally through their jobs. This census will also document the skills required by all major industries and MSMEs, effectively creating an industry-wide skills database.
- It will also involve validation mechanisms to ensure the data collected is accurate and reliable.
Benefits of Skill census:
- Based on the data gathered by the skill census, the government can take steps to upskill people based on the market demand. It will address the unemployment problem and it will also help in creating a stronger pool of human capital, better prepared to meet the evolving needs of industries and drive economic growth.
- With this data, individuals can make informed career choices based on the industry’s demands and global skill requirements.
- It reduces the skill gap and thereby boosts the economy.
- The data will help the government and the employers to make informed decisions such as where to invest. For example, if the skill census reveals a high concentration of skilled software developers in a particular region, employers can decide to open new tech offices or expand existing operations in that region, capitalizing on the local talent pool. This results in effective investment.
- The data gathered can help the government while drafting education and employment policies.
- The skill census will also help educational institutions to better design their courses based on the market demands.
Conclusion:
The Andhra Pradesh government is launching the skill census, a first of its kind in the country. This census will help in addressing the unemployment and skill gap issues. It will help in improving the income of people, and industries and thereby boost the economy.
Your Turn…
What are your thoughts on skill census? Do you think it can solve the unemployment crisis? Express your point of view through the comment section below. Subscribe to our blog to read answers to the trending GD topics.
Photo by Pavel Chernonogov
References:
- Skill Census, a unique exercise to identify skills and competencies among youth in Andhra Pradesh
- India’s job crisis: Could Andhra Pradesh’s skill census be Modi 3.0’s game-changer?
- Why Chandrababu Naidu’s call for a skill census is important
- Andhra Pradesh’s Skill Census to bridge gap between employers, job seekers: Official
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