Here's how NSDC's knack of skilling has created a revolution in the field of education

Rajiv Mathur gives us an insight into how the NSDC is planning to launch Dreams into Reality, an initiative that'll help students get a feel of the sector they would like to work in
Mathur is currently advising private institutions on how they can incorporate the necessary skill sets required by various industries
Mathur is currently advising private institutions on how they can incorporate the necessary skill sets required by various industries

A relative of Rajiv Mathur, Senior Head, Skill Advisory Services, National Skills Development Corporation, approached him with a problem — his son wanted to become a hairstylist. But the relative, who is the CEO of an MNC, had different aspirations for their son. So, what was Mathur's advice? "I told him, ‘If you stop your son today, he is going to blame you for the rest of your life’," shares Mathur.

He also advised him to let his son gain exposure in the field, "after which, only one of two things can happen. He will further fall in love with the profession or, expecting something completely different, fall out of love with it." Going above and beyond, Mathur even helped get his relative's son enrol in the skill development initiative, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY).

And with the same vision of encouraging students to get the feel of the industry they want to work for and then skilling them for it, Mathur informs us that the NSDC is planning to launch Dreams to Reality — an initiative that'll help students get a feel of the sector they would like to work in. In government schools, there are 19 sectors that they are working with and students are already able to avail this opportunity. In fact, working with academic institutions is one of Mathur's focus areas, he confesses.

"In 2012, we started with 40 schools in Haryana, where we provided vocational education for students from class IX to XII. Today we have reached out to over 6.5 lakh students in 7,650 schools in 26 states," says Mathur, who is currently advising private institutions on how they can incorporate the necessary skill sets required by various industries. "I also encourage them to start new courses," he says. So, instead of teaching Abstract Math, he proposes the introduction of courses like Retail Math or Accounting Principles that can pave the way for employment.     

And when they found that the private sector also needs advice when it comes to skill development, the NSDC, a not-for-profit organisation that receives its funding from the government, proceeded to share all the know-how they've acquired with the private sector. "So, we offer consultancy and advice to corporates, but don't charge what EYI or KPMG would charge," he tells us. Personally, Mathur has also authored several textbooks. His first book came out in 1989. Currently, his textbooks are being used in CBSE schools for class IX and X. Besides this, his writing has also enabled him to create the National Occupational Standard, "which is now the backbone of the entire skilling ecosystem of the country," he concludes.

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