By Dr. Anjali Jagtap-Ramteke.

In today’s rapidly evolving world, embedding industry-relevant skills into conventional higher education is a key to holistic development. Traditional academic curricula, often dense with theoretical content, leave little space for experiential learning. This imbalance contributes to a critical challenge to the graduates who are academically qualified, yet underprepared for functioning efficiently in job market.

Vocational undergraduate programmes offer a solution to break this long time status quo in higher education scenario. The programme design promises to bridge the gap between academic learning and existing job requirements with job-specific skill training that ensures workplace-ready competence. Each economic sector identifies a range of job roles, each linked to a structured skill progression from basic to advanced levels. Playing a pivotal role in this ecosystem are India’s Sector Skill Councils and National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) which have meticulously identified industry skill gaps and developed the National Occupational Standards (NOS). These standards articulate, in clear and comprehensive terms, the knowledge and skills required for each role. Building on the NOS, Qualification Packs provide a foundation for curriculum development—ready to be tailored by academic bodies to meet the holistic learning goals outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, ensuring a synergy between intellectual growth and skill acquisition.

At Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), the Skill Development Centre has pioneered this integrated approach since 2014 through its UGC approved Bachelor of Vocation (B.Voc) degree programmes. With specialisations in high-demand sectors such as Renewable Energy, Retail Management, and Manufacturing Technology, the initiative has seen encouraging momentum, both in student enrolment and industry collaboration. Leading companies are actively partnering with the university, providing training, mentorship, and placement opportunities—helping turn academic potential into professional success. On-the-Job Training (OJT) is an indispensable component of vocational UG programme. Industry Immersion bridges classroom instruction with field-based learning and offers students authentic exposure to industry practices. Various government schemes under renewable energy sector encourage the industries to contribute in the multidimensional growth of solar energy applications for domestic, public and agriculture sector. This would offer scope for new employment to meet the increasing demand of professionally trained personnel. The programmes on offer bear the potential to meet this demand. In last five years, the students who completed the bachelor degree programme are recruited by the industry with consistent employment track record and low attrition rate. SPPU, thus calls the students to give a thought to prefer vocational programmes over conventional degree programmes. The eligibility to enrol is 12th pass in science, commerce or vocational streams.

The latest value addition in varsity’s vocational degree programmes is AEDP (Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programmes) scheme which ensures handsome stipend to the apprenticed students.

The author Dr. Anjali Jagtap-Ramteke is from the Skill Development Centre at Savitribai Phule Pune University.

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