Skill Development Training Programme: A Case Study of IGNOU

There are two important education systems. One is distance education and the other is skill development training. Distance education is an important education system provides education to the adult learners where ever they want and when ever they want. This type of distance education reaches to the door steps of the learners of masses with learner kits. The skill development training is nothing but providing training in different skills required for employable for example carpenter training, motor mechanic skill training, electrical technician skill training, computer operator skill training, construction worker skill training, beautician skill training, hair cutting skill training, hospitality and clinical heath care skill training etc;. According to Jain (2013), skill development is seen as a means to empower the individual and improve his/her employability. This paper discusses about importance of skill development and its impact on Indian GDP growth rate. Now days all the states are establishing skill development centres/skill development institutes in their own state to enhance the capability of skilled man power. The central government is also emphasizing on skill development to train the youth in different employable skills. The central government is providing a budget for skill development through Skill India initiative. In this paper, the role of IGNOU in distance education and skill development training has been discussed. The skill development training programme as a case study on electrical technician programme run by one of its school (School of Engineering and Technology) has been analyzed in the paper.