TSSC’s RPL program to enhance skills of manpower

In India, there is a huge demand in the telecom sector for skilled manpower. To take this initiative further, the Telecom Sector Skill Council, in association with the Global Institute of Skills Development, BSNL and NSDC, has launched the facilitation of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) of 10,000 employees of BSNL at BSNL’s Head office at Janpath Delhi,  which will be followed by assessment and certification, enabling them to enhance their skills and future employment prospects. The event was attended by Lt Gen Dr SP Kochhar, CEO, Telecom Sector Skill Council (TSSC); Sujata Ray, Director (HR), BSNL Board; R. K. Misra, Member –Services, DoT; Deepak Sinha, Senior DDG – Skill Development, DoT, and many more dignitaries. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), the name itself, reflects its identity; and the importance that it is a platform to provide recognition to the informal learning, or learning through work experience, thus enabling equal acceptance as the formal levels of education. It aims to appreciate prior learning irrespective of the medium of achieving it. 

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an initiative of the Government of India, Ministry of Skill Development. To take this initiative forward, the Telecom Sector Skill Council will assess and certify 10,000 employees of BSNL, under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojna, implemented by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). 

TSSC CEO Lt Gen Dr SP Kochhar said, “This process will surely help the industry to get skilled manpower in an organized manner and, hence, will help in higher growth and development of the economy.”

For the 700-million-strong workforce that India will have by 2020, the prospect of a demographic dividend hinges on the country’s ability to empower workers with right skills. The success of schemes such as RPL on the ground, though, could be the real test.

GISD Chairman Parvinder Wasu said, “It is a much required step taken towards skill development. India’s workforce is young and growing fast and a larger skilled talent pool can contribute greatly towards growth and development of the country. In this context, a greater emphasis on vocational training would be beneficial. This will help in recognizing the talent of workforce.”

This project is being facilitated by the Global Institute of Skill Development, whose teams would be visiting 50 cities to conduct Orientation of the BSNL employees for the RPL Certification, in the first phase and would be visiting more than 150 cities in Phase II.