n According to NASSCOM, only 25% of engineers are employable, and only 10-15% of college graduates are employable."
n "It is not unemployment that is the major problem; it is the question of unemployability that is the major crisis in this competitive arena…"
- Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (Former President of India)
What is Employability?
Employability refers to a person's capability of gaining initial employment, maintaining employment, and obtaining new employment if required. (Hillage and Pollard, 1998)
Employability is about being capable of getting a Job and able to maintain and perform in the job in order to retain the job and employment.
For individuals, employability depends on the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) they possess, the way they use those assets and present them to employers, and the context (e.g. personal circumstances and labour market environment) within which they seek work -(Hind and Moss, 2011).
Today a youth and student face the following challenges:
- Getting a Job
- Retaining and Liking the Job
- And Growing in the Job
How to improve Employability Index?
n Acquire Knowledge and Skills through Employability Training.
n The characteristics of these training program should be practical, industry focused, result oriented and
interesting for the young mind, than certificate based.
n The real time work experience such as part of a project team, a part time assignment, being associated
with a company on a research project, survey work, sales job, par time accounting for small business
or individual, working in an event, data entry jobs etc.
nBuilding a strong character, positive attitude, a clear goal from the beginning, ambitions and
determination of making it big, perseverance, taking a mentor and correct associates.
n Continuous development of communication skills, good team working skills, information seeking skills
and logical skills.
n Knowledge and understanding of business and profits; personal finance; value of results; assignments
and responsibilities; ethics and values; Career development and Professionalism.
Realities & Truths
Having a clear understanding of few facts can help in future:
n That no one can give you a Job, you have to get it through your planning, knowledge, skills and attitude.
n Knowledge cannot be bought, it has to be acquired.
n The situation is challenging and grave. These are multiplied by the parents of Tier II & III towns who
are not at all aware of the changing demands of the industries and are confused with so many
mushrooming educational institutes selling false dreams.
n There are no short cuts to success.
n And this skill development must start early: even while the student is pursuing his graduation.
n We are between a situation where industry is complaining about skill shortage and at the same time we
have educated youth complaining of non-availability of jobs.
What does an Employer search in a Candidate?
E Communication skills:
How effective communicator you are?
P Fluent English, Hindi & Regional Language
E Sales Skills:
How can you sell yourself and your ideas?
PSelling oneself (Interview skills).
P How to deal with difficult situation.
P Magnetism & Power to attract others.
E People Skills:
P Interpersonal Relationship
P Effective handling of Co-worker, Boss & Clients .
E Personality :
P Self Confidence & Self Esteem
P Interests & co-curricular activities
E Knowledge on :
P Socio-economic environment
Check list for Corporate Jobs
YOU NEED TO DEVELOP YOURSELF FOR SUCCESS BY LEARNING :
ö Interview Skills.
ö Communication Skills.
ö Business Management Skills.
ö Making a Professional Resume.
ö Professional Sales & Service Skills.
ö Soft Skills and Corporate Etiquette.
ö Personality Development and Attitude Building.
According to experts, Employability of graduates is a big issue. What is the extent of this problem?
- Employability Skills is a greater issue than unemployment today. As Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, Former President of India said, "It is not unemployment that is the major problem; it is the question of unemployable that is the major crisis in this competitive arena…"
- According to a NASSCOM-McKinsey report, The Indian Industry will face its biggest challenge ever: a talent shortage of 3.1 million knowledge workers, across Industry, by 2010. These can be understood better by the fact that only 25 per cent of fresh engineers; and a mere 10% of fresh graduates are actually employable!
- The situation is challenging and grave. These are multiplied by the parents of Tier II & III towns who are not at all aware of the changing demands of the industries and are confused with so many mushrooming educational institutes selling false dreams.
- These can be addressed through a solution that empowers the youth. Empower these youngsters with the requisite skills, proper knowledge about industry requisite, and a development of their personal traits. These need to be imparted in order to get them employment and to grow in a corporate environment. And this skill development must start early: even while the student is pursuing his graduation.