REVOLUTION IN EDUCATION: SKILL-BASED LEARNING AT THE CORE OF MODERN INDIA

I was the Chairperson of the Government of Maharashtra Vocational Education and Skill Development’ committee. I realized that students who complete their higher education do not have requisite skills whereas students who go for skill-based education do not get enough opportunities. There was a need to disrupt the existing higher education system to include the skilling component as an integral part of higher education. Thus, Symbiosis Skills Universities was envisioned.

existing higher education system to include the skilling component as an integral part of higher education. Thus, Symbiosis Skills Universities was envisioned.

India produces millions of graduates annually, yet the highest unemployment is amongst the educated youth and the gap is widening. Reports from various agencies highlight the rising requirement of skilled manpower in the industry and the lack of skilled youth coming out of colleges and universities. But to unlock India’s true potential, we must ask ourselves a defining question: Are we preparing our youth for employment and Atmanirbhar Bharat?

Skill Based Education need of the hour!

Integrating skills in education to ensure that academic programs are aligned to the industry needs should be an important focus area for all higher education institutions.

1. It aligns industry demand with learning delivery

2. It empowers learners with real-world tools, soft skills, and workplace fluency

3. It enables stackable credentials, flexibility, and relevance for a changing economy

The true revolution in education isn’t only digital or curricular-it’s the transformation into a skill-first system, embodied by institutions like Symbiosis Skills Universities (Symbiosis University of Applied Sciences, Indore & Symbiosis Skills & Professional University, Pune).

For too long, India’s education system has been geared towards theoretical leaming, with little alignment to industry expectations or employability outcomes. It’s time to reimagine education-not as a linear path to a degree but as a dynamic engine of skill, innovation, and livelihood. This is where skill-based education becomes not just relevant but indispensable.

The Shift from Degrees to Outcomes

Global economies today demand job-ready graduates professionals who can think critically and work practically. While academic knowledge lays a foundation, it is skill that builds the structure. Unfortunately, we continue to see a glaring gap between what students learn and what the market needs.

Skill-based education bridges this gap by integrating hands-on training, real-world problem-solving, and exposure to emerging technologies. Whether in logistics, healthcare, Al, or maritime services, India’s workforce must be trained to deliver from day one.

Vocational Excellence is National Progress

At Symbiosis, our goal has been simple but bold-to make vocational education aspirational. Through industry partnerships, simulation labs, and apprenticeship models, students are not just learning they are contributing to the economy even before they graduate. The impact is visible: Higher employability, increased entrepreneurship, and migration of talent from job-seeking to job-creating. When we dignify skills, we energize the nation.

Women, Rural Youth, and Inclusive Growth

Skill based education also plays a catalytic role in bringing education to the grassroots. We see young women from villages mastering automotive technology, or students from Tier-3 towns excelling in data science. This is the India that is rising confident, capable, and inclusive. New Bharat, for real,

A skill-based ecosystem is not only about economic transformation but also social equity. When we empower a skilled workforce, we reduce poverty, unemployment, and social disparity organically.

The Road Ahead: Skilling for the Global Stage Skill development is an important driver for industrial and economic growth of our country. For crystalizing ‘Make in India and Skill India’ vision of our Honorable Prime Minister, a large pool of skilled workforce needs to be developed. We studied various models of skill development and vocational education before we developed an innovative model of Skill Development University. The unique industry connect we have forged for our programs is what makes Symbiosis Skills Universities (Pune & Indore campuses) successfully implement Skill India initiative.