India Ramps Up Vocational Training In Schools Amid Rising Demand For Skilled Workforce
India is accelerating the integration of vocational education into schools and universities as part of a broader strategy to address the country’s growing skills gap and youth unemployment.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has directed higher education institutions to implement the Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programme (AEDP) from July 2025. Under this initiative, students will complete on-the-job training as part of their degree courses, a move aimed at boosting employability and aligning academic pathways with industry needs.
At the school level, the Odisha School Education Programme Authority (OSEPA) has invited Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from Vocational Training Partners (VTPs) to deliver skills education across more than 1,500 secondary and higher secondary schools. The programme will include updated curricula, trained vocational instructors, and partnerships with local businesses to provide hands-on learning.
Private Sector Steps In
Private players are also stepping up. Emversity, a vocational training platform under Beyond Odds Technologies, raised $5 million in a recent funding round. It currently operates 36 campuses in 18 states and plans to expand to 75 campuses by year-end. The platform offers sector-specific training in hospitality and healthcare, combining classroom learning with stipends and job placements.
Separately, Generation India, backed by the World Bank, has trained nearly 24,000 youth under Project AMBER, with 73% of graduates securing jobs within three months of course completion. The initiative, active across 23 states, aims to expand its reach to 30,000 youth this year.
Stigma Remains a Barrier
Despite these efforts, vocational education continues to face significant social stigma in India, where it is often viewed as a last resort for academically weaker students.
“Contrary to popular belief, vocational education is not a gauge of a developing nation; it is quite the opposite,” said Isha Kakkad, an education consultant with Eight Goals One Foundation, a Delhi-based non-profit. “Increased vocational education across all strata of society not only elevates the dignity of labour but also fosters relatability and social cohesion. For India to become a developed nation, it is a fact-backed imperative that educational institutions prioritise vocational learning.”
Implementation Challenges
Educators and policymakers point to multiple challenges in scaling vocational education. One major concern is the shortage of trained instructors in emerging areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), automation, and electronics. According to education commentators, over 80% of institutions offering technical training report inadequate faculty capacity in key skill domains.
Experts have also called for vocational education to be introduced earlier in the academic journey ideally from Class 9 onward and integrated with mainstream curricula rather than offered as an optional track. Financial support mechanisms, such as stipends for students from low-income families, are also being recommended to support participation and retention.
Progress and Targets
Several Indian states have made headway in recent years. Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, and Haryana have launched structured vocational training programmes in schools, often in partnership with private training providers and local industry bodies.
Nationally, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 calls for at least 50% of students to have exposure to vocational education by 2025. The policy envisions modular courses, industry-aligned content, and practical training embedded within academic learning.
India’s push towards vocational education mirrors successful models in countries like Germany and Switzerland, where students alternate between classroom education and workplace apprenticeships. These dual systems have helped sustain low youth unemployment and stable workforce participation, particularly in technical and service sectors.
Employment and Economic Context
With over 260 million students enrolled in schools and more than 40 million in higher education, India has one of the world’s largest youth populations. However, a significant share of graduates struggle to find jobs that match their qualifications due to a disconnect between academic education and industry requirements.
In states like Haryana, pilot vocational programmes in hospitality and retail have shown promising results. Government data indicates that over 60% of participating students in the state secured employment within six months of completing school-based training.
The World Bank and India’s Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship have identified vocational education as a key lever to reduce youth unemployment and strengthen the country’s position in the global labour market.
As India races to skill its youth for a shifting global economy, the success of vocational education may hinge not only on policy execution—but on changing mindsets about what it means to be educated and employable.
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