Santosh More, a young man from Raigad’s Sudhagad taluka, used to work as a daily wage worker on the farms in his village, earning less than Rs300 a day. When the demand arose, he would manage to find work as a labourer at construction sites and make approximately the same amount. When Santosh learnt of a skilling mobilisation meeting in his village (supported by Swades), he opted for a certified course in masonry. Today, he makes Rs800 a day and, perhaps as importantly, is a far more confident person.With 254 million people between the age of 15-24 (UNPF State of the world population report, ‘23), many young men and women like Santosh can benefit from skilling programmes to pursue a dignified and fulfilling life. Often referred to as the ‘demographic dividend’, India’s youth can hugely contribute to India’s growth story—provided they are equipped with the right set of skills and training. Here’s why investing in skilled agents of change promises to bridge multiple gaps, creating a healthy, flourishing market and society.
Often in the case of rural youth, the migration to close-by metros is driven not by opportunity but by a fascination for the big city. This aspiration is not always backed by the right training. When young men and women land up in the big city without the necessary training, they end up in menial jobs, not necessarily building up to a sustainable career.Often the move is forced because of the lack of a dignified alternative in the village. Skilling rural youth could curb forced migration and promote healthy migration—where one moves to pursue a better life. In my experience, youth that have successfully made a life in the village have invariably gone on to either inspire—if not employ—other local youth, thereby acting as local heroes that positively impact a generation.
The informal sectors are the largest employment generators in India. Hence a majority of the workforce in the sector is also informally trained or self-taught. A formal skilling program offers youth proper placements and thus benefits, fairer wages, job security, the opportunity to branch out as an entrepreneur and so on. Even in the informal sector, they help them command a more equitable wage.India, as an economy, is poised for growth. To nurture a dream of creating an equitable economy with fair and dignified livelihoods for all, it must begin with empowering our rural and urban youth or agents of change that can drive the transition—investing in skilling is one great way of doing just that.The writer is the co-founder of the Swades Foundation & works full-time as its Managing Trustee & Director.
First Published: Jul 27, 2023, 17:01
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