What We Do
Being the apex body for overall skill development in the Handicrafts and Carpet sector, the prime task of HCSSC is to develop the skill ecosystem for the sector. For that matter, HCSSC considers all the aspects of the skill development process. It includes research for the purpose of understanding the particulars for the process and then implementing them. HCSSC is technically responsible for structuring and managing the whole skill development process for the Handicrafts and Carpet sector.
Process
The skill development process includes the following:
Research
Research is one of the most important parts of the skill development process. Better understanding of the various aspects of the skill development process is acquired with proper research. It helps to have a broader perspective of the needs and requirements. HCSSC conducts researches in order understand the current scenario of the industries and the sector. Subsequently, it creates skilling standards and develops the various training materials for proper development of the artisans/trainees.
Setting Standards
The process of training helps the trainees acquire workable knowledge; however, the knowledge level must meet certain standard in order to be acceptable in the industry. HCSSC, as per the guidelines of NSDC and with respect to industry requirements, develops and sets standards for the various training programs/job roles. Also, the standards are aligned with National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) levels. Any trainee would be certified only on meeting the qualification standards developed by HCSSC in consultation with industry and are aligned with NSQF. These standards are important owing to the proficiency and skill level required by industry for particular job role, and the quality people expect in finished products.
Training
Training is one of the prime functions of HCSSC. HCSSC conducts trainings for candidates enrolled under its various training programs through associating with training providers affiliated as per the guidelines of NSDC. The training programs conducted by HCSSC are developed for three different sets of trainees – for fresh candidates enrolling in the various training programs and existing artisans enrolling under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programs under HCSSC.
Assessment
It is essential to evaluate trained candidates to assess their knowledge and skills. HCSSC is entitled to properly evaluate trainees on knowledge and skills they acquired through skill trainings under HCSSC. It is one of the major responsibilities of HCSSC to ensure that trainees are adequately trained to meet industry standards. After the training is over, HCSSC facilitates assessment the trainees in accordance with the NSQC approved qualification standards. Thereby, HCSSC ensures that trainees are adequately trained and skilled to meet industry and market demand.
Advocacy
India is a highly populous country, and at the same time is also amongst the top 10 wealthiest countries in the world. The high population of India and the largely unequal distribution of wealth have left a major chunk of its population poor. The average section of the population of India faces joblessness and other similar problems. The major reason behind it is that the education system in India majorly concentrates on academic rather than vocational education system.
With the population of India being large, there is a high level of competition. The academic education system also offers only a few choices, which are not completely job specific. With regards to the current scenario of our country, there is a need for an education system that is job specific. And it completely justifies the creation of the various SSCs, which focuses on the development of specific sectors and the job roles related to it.
With the formation of HCSSC, job role specific training programs in the Handicrafts and Carpet sector has been created. These programs are aimed at benefitting the trainees through enhancement of specific learning as per their choice of job roles. Over a period of time this vocational education system would eventually eliminate the unemployment problem, as the enrolments in these programs are with respect to the Labour Market Information.