May 19 2014 : The Times of India (Delhi)
SUBJECT WISE Q & A CHANGE IN SKILL GAP
REKHA SETHI, DG, All India Management Association (AIMA), talks to Rahat Bano on skill shortages, emerging specialisations, and a new course with the World Bank
Why does AIMA continue to have a management admission test when other national options such as the IIM CAT exist?
AIMA's MAT has been a preferred na tional management admission test since 1988. While there are admission tests developed by elite institutes, which are used by others as well, MAT remains an extensively-used admission resource. It is the most used management admission test among the regional and the emerging B-schools. It also serves various universities with different academic calendars and allows admission seekers to take the test at their convenience, as it is held four times a year, unlike the once-a-year alternatives. Moreover, MAT takes care of the digital divide in the country by offering both the digital and the paper format. Typically, what is the response to AIMA's online programmes?
AIMA's online management education programmes are specifically designed for working people. Though the concept is still nascent in India, the response to its online programmes is encouraging. There is 70-75% progres sion in these programmes, which is reasonable considering that all candi dates work. However, it re mains a challenge to ensure student engagement in the classes and assignments delivered through the e-learning mode.
Industry has highlighted skill shortages for several years now.
What is the scenario? What will be the focus of the management skills council you are setting up?
There are several schemes launched by the government of India with the support of the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), All India Council for Tech nical Education and the ministry of labour. AIMA is setting up a management skills development council in association with NSDC. These schemes will take time to make a big difference to employability in general. Many universities and colleges are offering vocational courses to students focused on employability. Many corporate universities are tailoring their curriculum for employability, particularly in the business areas of the promoters, such as real estate, retail, IT, healthcare and hotel management.The skill areas which India continues to be short of include every growing sector -IT, telecom, infrastructure, education, retail, urban design and development, corporate social responsibility (CSR), etc. However, the nature of skill gap is changing. The real skill deficit is in the quality and innovation aspects and not so much in doing rudimentary jobs.
Indian businesses are finding it harder to compete merely on labour cost arbitrage. They need people who can help them move up the value chain.
Which specialisations are gaining currency in the domestic economy and why?
A new set of specialisations is emerging as business requirements expand due to changes in legislations, regulations, technologies and market trends. For example, in the management domain, there is increasing demand for high-end skills in the areas of international business, e-commerce, data analytics, sustainability, CSR, urban planning and development, public procurement, etc.
Tell us about the online certificate and diploma programmes in public procurement.
Last month, AIMA signed an MoU with the World Bank to launch a six-month professional diploma programme in public procurement.
If students complete three months, they may take a certificate from the World Bank or continue for another three months to receive a joint diploma from AIMA and the World Bank.
AIMA's MAT has been a preferred na tional management admission test since 1988. While there are admission tests developed by elite institutes, which are used by others as well, MAT remains an extensively-used admission resource. It is the most used management admission test among the regional and the emerging B-schools. It also serves various universities with different academic calendars and allows admission seekers to take the test at their convenience, as it is held four times a year, unlike the once-a-year alternatives. Moreover, MAT takes care of the digital divide in the country by offering both the digital and the paper format. Typically, what is the response to AIMA's online programmes?
AIMA's online management education programmes are specifically designed for working people. Though the concept is still nascent in India, the response to its online programmes is encouraging. There is 70-75% progres sion in these programmes, which is reasonable considering that all candi dates work. However, it re mains a challenge to ensure student engagement in the classes and assignments delivered through the e-learning mode.
Industry has highlighted skill shortages for several years now.
What is the scenario? What will be the focus of the management skills council you are setting up?
There are several schemes launched by the government of India with the support of the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), All India Council for Tech nical Education and the ministry of labour. AIMA is setting up a management skills development council in association with NSDC. These schemes will take time to make a big difference to employability in general. Many universities and colleges are offering vocational courses to students focused on employability. Many corporate universities are tailoring their curriculum for employability, particularly in the business areas of the promoters, such as real estate, retail, IT, healthcare and hotel management.The skill areas which India continues to be short of include every growing sector -IT, telecom, infrastructure, education, retail, urban design and development, corporate social responsibility (CSR), etc. However, the nature of skill gap is changing. The real skill deficit is in the quality and innovation aspects and not so much in doing rudimentary jobs.
Indian businesses are finding it harder to compete merely on labour cost arbitrage. They need people who can help them move up the value chain.
Which specialisations are gaining currency in the domestic economy and why?
A new set of specialisations is emerging as business requirements expand due to changes in legislations, regulations, technologies and market trends. For example, in the management domain, there is increasing demand for high-end skills in the areas of international business, e-commerce, data analytics, sustainability, CSR, urban planning and development, public procurement, etc.
Tell us about the online certificate and diploma programmes in public procurement.
Last month, AIMA signed an MoU with the World Bank to launch a six-month professional diploma programme in public procurement.
If students complete three months, they may take a certificate from the World Bank or continue for another three months to receive a joint diploma from AIMA and the World Bank.
