The Retail Sales work force and the unnoticed potential

The Retail Sales work force and the unnoticed potential

The Retail HR Conclave organized by the Additional Skill Acquisition Programme (ASAP) and the Retailers Association’s Skill Council of India (RASCI) was aimed at creating an awareness on skill development in retail sector, and to deliberate on emerging job roles, skill deficit and demand, internship and traininng venues, placemnet opportunities, innovative practices, and various other opportunities and challenges in the sector connecting to Human resourcece. ASAP considers role of industry as crucial thereby in the forefront to strengthening the Industry relationship. The first Retail Conclave organized by ASAP was witnessed by the participation of delegates from human resource domain of retail industry.


The Conclave started by 10.30. Ms. Ambili E. Kurian Senior Programme Manager - Retail Sector welcomes the participants. Mr. Ravi Deecee, CEO, DC Books & Chairman, Retail Business Advisory Committee, ASAP presided over the function. Inviting attention to the skill deficit in the retail sector, he emphasized on collective intervention to bridge the gap. Rather than big retail chains, independent stores are the unique feature of the retail sector of Kerala. Thus skill is of great need especially in the entry level. The need of the hour is making the sector aspirational and creating more learning spaces; said Mr. Ravee. Further, it is important to create surplus trainers and to ensure their quality.

We have limited best practices to be adopted because of shortcoming in the training and short tenure of employment. However the importance of retails sales work force cannot be ignored. Online retail is an emerging area with immense scope for exploitation in the context of skill development and job opportunities. Mr. Ravee alluded for opening more onshore training spaces and internship opportunities for aspirants in the retails industry. Turing work space to learning space is a worth implementing practice. Along with undergraduate courses, possibilities for degree level courses in retail sector also to be explored. He also stressed on the vast opportunities in entrepreneurial aspects of retail business.

Kerala Youth has got an invitation to the World Youth Summit in Washington D

Kerala Youth has got invitation to the World Youth Summit in Washington DC by the World Bank. This rare opportunity is for Paul V Mathew from Kochi. The World Youth Summit is to be held between November 14-16. Theme of the Summit is “Rethinking Education for the New Millennium”. Distinguished personalities from all countries will attend the event. Paul will represent Indian Team in the Summit. Invitation was for individuals of exceptional quality that have demonstrated their passion to rethink education for new millennium and their potential to be a future leaders in the Subject. The World Bank document says.

Paul has submitted his doctoral thesis at the School of Management Studies, Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) on the subject Sustainable Destination Management. He works with the Additional Skill Acquisition Programme (ASAP), Department of Higher Education, Government of Kerala. He was also associated with Kerala Tourism as the State Team Leader of Responsible Tourism Initiatives.

Being the Founding Chairman of Green Life India Innovations Network, a non-profit organization works for social resilience, he had a unique opportunity to attend Discover India - Bharath Darshan - Jagriti Yatra, National Youth Summit – JAM, Gramya Manthan, Community Radio Summit by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, National Broad and policy Consortium, Ministry of Telecom, National Environmental Summit etc. in various parts of the country.

My Motivation

My Motivation

Hailing from a typical rural background, I had an opportunity to witness dynamic twists of students and youth in my area. The abysmal paradigm of the pupil in my village provoked me many times. Many of them either dropped out or their career went awry mainly owe to the family circumstances or due to low exposure to sublimed thoughts. It was a usual sight most of they ended up with the conventional boundaries of career.

This mis-links were apparent; lack of nutrition, no effective parenting, defects in educational approach. There were exceptional cases where people broke their boundaries to fly above limitations. It was through right vision they provided with at some point of life. Education is globally hailed as a catalyst to remove darkness. But the right education must be offered to ignite minds of young children. A right mix of nutrition, effective parenting, motivated teaching and skilling is required. It is a participatory approach to ensure overall development of an individual for long term benefit of the nation.

I happened to see, my people are limited in employability skills like Communication, IT and parents, parents are consistently failing in their role to build the career edifice of their children. At the utmost despair, teachers still revolve around the conventional wall of education.

Even though from an ordinary family background, I had the fortunate to interact with some great minds at my undergraduate times. Eventually, my thoughts drowned into the nuances of life and career, which made me to be philosophical. I realized that our premises and nurturing have a critical role in the overall development. Beyond, a practical spirituality moved me to a more elevated direction. It is an added advantage to be blessed with a mentor. The need of the hour is an ideal mix in education to bridge the prevailing lacuna. Our education ideology needs to be the mutual existence of effective parenting, nutrition, equal opportunity to education, skill-based learning, and aptitude oriented career selection. The teaching fraternity, course content and methodology of learning also to be in par with these objectives. I am passionate to work in this direction.

Career Interests
Currently, I completed my doctoral thesis and work with the skill development mission of Govt. of Kerala. I had a unique opportunity to meet thousands of students and youth where I utilized my space to sow seeds of development thought. However, beyond mere reading, our philosophies must be backed by scientific evidence. Such scientific strategies and interventions can create catapulting effect among youth. This requires more exposure and guidance from right people. Working with people/organization in this line will help me to spearhead changes in education sector with much vigour.
Being an individual working in this sector and passionate to introduce change, developing new scientific methodologies and adopting emulating success stories can have a pivotal impact in the education system. It is not as special cases, but as widely accepted model. I firmly believe that Vision India Fellowship will be a guiding force for me.
If I am not selected

If I am not selected, I will remain in this sector and continue with my pursuit for excellence. I will find more time to read, listen and travel to see changes in the education sector. Whatever I observed and imbibed will pass over to others. I will keep my priority to do a post-doctoral programme from a reputed university abroad. Surely with an intention to back to my community and work for the betterment of my fellow beings

Retail Sector – the different paradigm Dr. Reju IAS

Dr. Reju IAS

There is a cardinal difference in the skill paradigm of India and the Kerala context. When the whole country enjoys demographic dividend, Kerala witness a shrink in the young population. Our country is marked by large scale endeavors like Make in India, Digital India etc; but Kerala couldn’t emerge as a successful follower. Lastly, the dilemma in the vocational trade is a looming concern. The youth population in the state is not yet ready to embrace entry-level jobs in any industry. Dr. Reju M. T. IAS, CEO, ASAP called for a deep thought of retailers while delivering the inaugural address. Despite all, the industry in Kerala is retail embedded. Irrespective of sectors, the presence of retail is ubiquitous; hence it is inevitable to handhold the potential and future of the retail sector for the sustainable growth of the Kerala economy. He eulogized the efforts of retailers in Kerala. He pointed out that ASAP is committed to living up to the expectation of industry and willing to tackle training demands in the industry. Dr. Reju urged the participants to play a constructive role in the skill development initiatives of the retails sector in Kerala and the ASAP initiatives.

Dynamic but Promising .Mr. Deepak L. Aswani

Mr. Deepak L. Aswani

Delivering keynote address, Mr. Deepak L. Aswani, Chairman and Managing Director, Lachmandas Group, Member, Retail Business Advisory Committee, ASAP projected the influential role of retail industry in the economic growth, citing successful interventions of individual and conglomerates. The scope of online retailing is ever time high in the post demonetization times. Even though we face neck to neck competition, e-commerce platforms make the retail sector more vibrant. Moreover, retail has the uniqueness of dynamism where professionals, individuals, and business entities can nurture and foster. Being a customer-centric business, the retail sector has the flexibility to explore opportunities of tourism and hospitality sectors

Dr. Sriram Venkitaraman, IAS assumes charge as CEO ASAP

Dr. Sriram Venkitaraman, IAS assumes charge as the CEO, ASAP (Additional Charge).

About Sriram

Sriram Venkataraman is a young IAS officer who has burst into the news cycle with his courageous drive against illegal encroachers in the hill station of Munnar in Kerala. Venkataraman, who secured the second rank in the Civil Services Examination in 2013, is currently the sub-collector of Devikulam near Munnar in Idukki district of the state.

The preservation of Munnar, considered a highly fragile hill station, from the land mafia has been a simmering issue in Kerala from time to time. While many local politicians indirectly support businessmen who have razed land with impunity in order to build resorts and hotels, a section of environmentalists and activists have steadfastly stood against encroachment by the real estate mafia. It is in this context that Venkataraman’s efforts to evict resort owners who do not have proper land records have found favor among the activists and locals.

Venkataraman, whose security has reportedly been beefed up owing to threats, however, remained stern about the campaign. “I am not afraid of anyone. I am only implementing the law of the land,” he told the Hindustan Times.

(http://indianexpress.com/article/india/who-is-sriram-venkataraman-kerala-ias-officer-devikulam-munnar-encroachment-mm-mani-4627635/)

Applications invited for the post of Programme Manager ASAP

Applications invited for the post of 

Programme Manager Trainee

Guidelines for applicants

Job Description

Programme Manager Trainee manages the learning and development activities of ASAP
in Schools and Colleges. Programme Manager Trainee will be responsible for the
implementation of training for the enrolled students in selected institutions. He/ She will plan,
schedule all training programmes offered under ASAP. The appointment on contract basis
shall be made initially for a period of 1 year, which will be renewable for successive terms
as per the requirements of the project.

Responsibilities

His/her jobs includes, but not limited to;

• Schedule and implement Skill Development programmes in schools and Colleges
• Co-ordinate efforts to ensure the full utilization of training facilities, processes, 
• resources and equipment
• Enroll students for ASAP courses with the support of ASAP co-ordinators
• Develop Partnership with Industries
• Co-ordinate with Skill Training Providers to administer training programmes
• Facilitate students internship and Placements
• Resolve and respond to training issues and queries from various stakeholders
•  including students, parents etc.
• Continuously seek and support new approaches, practices and processes
•  to improve the training programmes offered.

Job Requirements

Candidates who have completed a full time Post-Graduation Programme
in MBA/ MSW or Graduates who have attained a full-time professional Degree, 

having duration not less than 4 years
A team player with strong managerial, analytical and networking skills and
excellent communication skill.
Should be pro-active ,self-motivated and self-directed

General Details

The position is open for both Government Employees and Open candidates.
The Government employees will be on deputation for which they have to submit the NOC 

from the parent department if selected.
Age Limit : 35 years
Selection will be based on online test, case study presentation and Interview
The online link will be opened for submission of
PM Application till 14th November, 05.00 pm
The examination fee will be Rs 400/-(including GST) in the form of
Demand Draft (in favour of Additional Skill Acquisition Programme payable at
Thiruvananthapuram) should reach the below mentioned address
before 19th November 2018. The envelope containing the DD shall be
 subscribed with “APPLICATION OF P M RECRUITMENT” on the top of envelope.
On the reverse side of DD, Please write “PM RECRUITMENT“ Reference No,
Name, Address, Mobile No and email id of the applicant for identification.

1. Address for sending DD –
   Chief Executive Officer, Additional Skill Acquisition Programme, 
2. 3rd Floor, TransTower, Vazhuthacaud, Trivandrum‐695014, Kerala

• No TA /DA will be paid for attending any of the selection procedures.
• If you have any queries, please mail to hr@asapkerala.gov.in
• Consolidated Monthly  Salary: Rs 25,000 + Allowance

Apply Now