In India, as of the National Youth Policy 2014, youth in the age group of 15 to 29 years comprise 27.5% of the population. Youth are the most important and dynamic segment of the population in any country. Presently, about 34% of India’s Gross National Income is contributed by youth population. Government of India currently invests more than 90,000 crores per annum on youth development, plus Rs 2,000 crores per annum on harnessing their employability skills. India is presently populated with 122 crore people, of which only 37% of
Indians are employable. In 2020, India will be populated with 130 crore people, where 60% will be in the working age group of 15 to 59 years. Globally, there will be a huge shortage of workforce for up to 4.7 crores, while India will have a surplus of 5.6 crores working population during the time, in which case, there is a tremendous opportunity for India to emerge into a super nation. However, the greater problem is that only 30% of this working population will be employable. To overcome this enormous wastage of human resources, the Indian government is trying to hone the skills of the youth and hence such greater investment. Although India could invest this huge some money, the problem is to reach out to these youths and to have a scientific, feasible and practical module that could create positive change.
Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli, has 72 colleges and 30 University Departments affiliated with it. It caters to the educational and placement needs of over 1 Lakh student of Tirunelveli, Tuticorin and Kanyakumari districts. It offers courses on various disciplines and runs community colleges wherein a number of value-added courses are offered. Every year thousands of students graduate from the University. However, the problem arises when looking at the placement rate of these students. A number of students either take up career that does not match their aptitude and personality or they go jobless. There is a serious concern to look at enhancing their employability skills. Keeping this in view, the Placement cell is focusing on their empowerment through various Job Fairs and Employability skills enhancement.
