Nurturing work-linked learning

By Shantanu Rooj

As Herbert Spencer, the English philosopher, eloquently articulated, ‘the great aim of education being not knowledge but action’, the essence of education lies not merely in acquiring knowledge but in its transformative power to drive action. In today’s global landscape with a burgeoning youth population seeking employment, this sentiment resonates profoundly, especially concerning the imperative of aligning university degrees with workplace skills.

The focus on work-linked learning emerges as a critical aspect of ensuring that academic pursuits align with the practical requirements of industries. A global perspective on the importance of skills in improving employability underscores the critical need for graduates to not only possess academic knowledge but also the practical skills demanded by industries; in the Indian context too, there is tremendous significance of this alignment between formal education and skills.

India’s expansive higher education system, while producing a substantial number of graduates annually, grapples with a persistent challenge—the mismatch between skills imparted through traditional university degrees and the actual requirements demanded by the employers. According to the National Employability Report, a mere 23% of engineering graduates in India possess the skills demanded by the IT services sector, emphasising the critical need for aligning degrees with industry demands and highlighting the urgent need for reforms in the education system. Surveys by industry associations consistently highlight the shortfall in practical skills and industry-specific knowledge among fresh graduates, emphasising the importance of work-linked learning experiences. Despite a surge in the number of graduates, very high youth unemployment rates persist, signalling a substantial misalignment between the skills graduates possess and those demanded by employers.

The socio-economic value of the degree still finds relevance despite its depreciating trend; 60% of taxi drivers in Korea, 31% of retail checkout clerks in the US, and 15% of high-end security guards in India now have a degree. However, employers across the globe have often complained about the inadequacy of the fresh graduates to fit into their job roles. The traditional university degree is laced with three problems:

Outdated Curriculum: Outdated course content in traditional university programs hampers graduates’ readiness for real-world challenges, signalling the urgency for a curriculum overhaul that embraces work-linked learning principles.

Limited Industry Exposure: Graduates often lack practical exposure and industry internships during their academic years, leading to a gap in understanding the intricacies of their chosen fields.

Soft Skills Gap: Soft skills such as communication and critical thinking are increasingly crucial for career success. Many graduates struggle to develop these skills within the confines of conventional university education.

In the contemporary landscape marked by dynamic skill requirements, the imperative to align university degrees with workplace skills assumes paramount importance. This alignment serves as a pivotal bridge between theoretical academic knowledge and the practical requisites of professional spheres, substantially enhancing graduates’ employability. Such a concerted effort ensures that educational pursuits not only confer theoretical understanding but also equip individuals with the requisite hands-on expertise, thereby cultivating a workforce adept at navigating the complexities inherent in the modern job market.

This approach, in alignment with the needs of the industry, tailors academic programs to meet current and future industry needs, ensuring graduates possess skills directly applicable to the job market. Consequently, graduates exposed to work-linked learning experiences are better equipped for the workforce. Collaboration between educational institutions and industries becomes more meaningful in this context; industry input aids in the development of curriculum and ensures that graduates are prepared for the practical challenges in their professional lives.

Universities can herald and nurture a culture of skill building amongst their students pursuing academic degrees. This can be achieved through following 4 ways:

Integration of Work-Linked Learning Modules: Embedding work-linked learning modules within traditional degree programs ensures that students gain hands-on experience relevant to their chosen fields. Universities will need to think hard and learn from the experiences of others who have successfully achieved this – curriculum design, content, and assessments.

Internship and Industry Immersions: Strengthening ties between universities and industries through structured internship and apprenticeship programs and immersive industry experiences provides students with practical insights, bridging the gap between theory and practice.

Technology-Enabled Work-Linked Learning: Leveraging technology in education, including virtual labs and online platforms, enhances work-linked learning experiences, preparing students for the digital-driven workplace. This would ensure flexibility for the learner to pursue the academic modules.

Continuous Learning Culture: Encouraging a culture of continuous and life-long learning, particularly through work-linked learning models, empowers graduates to stay adaptable and updated with the latest industry advancements throughout their careers.

Mahatma Gandhi once said, “it is the training of the mind that brings about a true education, and the hands must be skilled to execute what the mind conceives.” This wisdom underscores the transformative power of honing practical skills, emphasising the harmonious union of mental cultivation and manual proficiency for a self-reliant and empowered society. In India, the alignment of university degrees with workplace skills must prioritise work-linked learning to address the challenges faced by graduates effectively.