State Board of Livelihood School meets to strengthen skill development initiative

GANGTOK, 16 Dec: The second meeting of State Board of Livelihood School was held today at the conference hall of the Directorate of Capacity Building, Khadi Bhavan, Gangtok. The meeting was presided over by Minister of Human Resource Development Department, NK Pradhan, who is also the chairperson of the State Board of Livelihood School.

A press release informs that the objective of the meeting was: to formulate the principles, guidelines in curriculum development, restructuring of the training modules and updating of syllabi; to make sure the culture of the progress, focus and outcomes is put in place in all livelihood schools; to review the working of all Livelihood schools so that there is alignment in standards and performance; to devise Methods, Rules and Regulations for full proof and standard examination system for Livelihood Schools by formulating examination by-laws and akin themes; to work in liaison and approach for affiliation with National Institutions and other bodies working in this filed like National Council of Vocational Training and PSS Central Institute of vocational Education, NCERT for greater monitoring of the works of the Livelihood Schools and the trainees and; to work out the road map to achieve the goal of youth empowerment policy of the State Government.
The Joint Chief Administrator, SICB, KB Pradhan, in his welcome address highlighted the need to focus for alignment of all Livelihood Schools on mission mode.
He also laid emphasis on enhancing, supporting and coordinating private sector initiatives for skill development through appropriate Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models; strive for significant operational and financial involvement from the private sector and focus significantly on the unorganized or informal sector workforce.

Deputy Director (Resource and Coordination), SICB, Dr. IBS Yadav, in turn, informed about various works accomplished by the SBLS till date. He explained the aims and objectives of SBLS viz promotion of skill development by providing certificates and mark sheets to successful trainees of Livelihood Schools, creation of quality vocational institutions within Sikkim at the Livelihood Schools, providing viability gap to build vocational training initiatives, providing support systems such as quality assurance, information systems, curriculum, faculty and their training, standards and quality assurance, technology platforms, student placement mechanisms and setting up standards and accreditation systems in partnership with industry associations. All these with participation of industry would improve quality of human resources and training the trainer academies either directly or through partnerships.
He further elaborated on collaboration with Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi for accreditation of the courses being conducted in various livelihood schools in the State. The IGNOU certifying courses developed by SICB is a first of its kind initiative.
He also detailed about the background, genesis, objectives, mission, vision, working areas of the National Council of Vocational Training (NCVT) and PSS Central Institute of Vocation Education (PSSCIVE), NCERT, Bhopal and advantages in receiving affiliation from these reputed Institutions. A lengthy and brain storming session was also held between all the Board members present.
According to the release, the meeting discussed about various agenda viz Certification of various Syllabus/ Courses/ Trades, Re-nomenclature, eligibility criteria for admission and duration of various Trades/Courses running in Livelihood Schools as per Not. No. 07/DL/11-12 dated 11.12.11, Review of MOU with IGNOU (for addition of more courses), Certificate & Mark Sheet of SBLS equivalent to Class X pass of CBSE, Appointment and functioning of Member Secretary of SBLS, Appointment and functioning of Controller of Examination SBLS, Constitution and function of Academic Council of SBLS, Affiliation of SBLS to National Council of Vocational Education (NCVT) and PSS Central Institute of Vocational Education (PSSCIVE), NCRT, Bhopal, Fee at Rs. 50 for Certificates to all trainees issued by SBLS (IGNOU) as per MOU signed with IGNOU.
The Minister, in his address, elaborated on the vision of the State Government in creating the Livelihood Schools and urged the Board Members and SICB officials to work as a part of the State Skill Development Mission (SSDM) to fulfill the increasing need in Sikkim for skilled manpower across sectors and narrow the existing gap between the demand and supply of skills.
This Board should function as a world class skill development programme in Mission mode that will address the challenge of imparting the skills required by a growing economy, he expressed and added that both the structure and the leadership of the Mission must be such that the programme can be scaled up quickly to cover the whole country.
Among those present at the meeting were Director Capacity Building, TW Khangsarpa, Vice Principal, CCCT Chisopani, Praveen Kr. Pradhan, HOD ATTC Bardang, Lochan Adhikari, Addl. Registrar, Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology, Sanjay Dahal, Associate Fellow, Sikkim University, Dr. Vimal Khawas, Joint Secretary, DoPART, Prakash Subba, Joint Chief Administrator, SICB, KB Pradhan, Deputy Director (R & C), SICB, Dr. IBS Yadav, Deputy Director (CPE), SICB, Ranjan Rai, Sr. Office Executive, Mani Kr. Gurung.
The programme ended with a vote of thanks delivered by Deputy Director,(Counseliing, Placement & Examination), Ranjan Rai while the program was coordinated by Sr. Office executive, SICB ,Karfectar, MK Gurung.