Andhra Pradesh govt working towards increased employability and skill development

The government of south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh has signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS). The MoU envisages implementation of programme activities of 'Andhra Pradesh University Students Employability Skill Development Programme', a flagship initiative of the state government. The MoU was signed in Visakhapatnam on Saturday on the occasion of Teacher's Day, in presence of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Minister for HRD Ganta Srinivas Rao, an official release said.

"We aim to transform Andhra Pradesh state into a knowledge hub by providing quality education and giving opportunities for students to develop employability skills among the Universities and Colleges in the state", Naidu said. The MoU involves strategic partnerships with civil society organisations, public sector bodies, private sector institutions and social entrepreneurship organisations, etc., to complement the efforts of the AP State Knowledge Mission, and accelerate its progress for achievement of the Mission objectives, it added.

TISS has been designated for the implementation of National University Student Skill Development Programme (NUSSD), which aims to enhance employability skills of university students. Currently, it is being implemented across 11 universities in India. A comprehensive skill development model has been developed that will have elements of English communication and soft skill, digital/computer skills, analytical skills, financial literacy, legal literacy, entrepreneurship, leadership development.

The model will also add on a specialisation in a specific domain to make the graduating youth employable, it said. The programme will be carried out through Jawahar Knowledge Centres (JKC) across the state and will also include some of the best courses and practises from National University Students Skill Development Programme.

Objectives of the MoU include to ensure significant, measurable increase in employability of students studying in universities and degree colleges in AP and to form collaboration with higher institutes and industries for implementing the Employability Skill Development programme, it added. During the three year graduation period, students can earn a Certificate in Management and Soft Skills On completion of 1st year, Certificate in Domain On completion of 2nd year and Diploma on completion of 3rd year, it said.

The Certificate programme and the diploma provided by TISS for this programme is approved by the Academic Council of TISS and is highly recognised by the industry. This employability training programme offered by TISS will be treated as a parallel degree programme along with the regular Bachelor's degree and it can play a significant role in giving students more confidence and in adding to career opportunities, the release added.

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