ASAP, Setting grounds for facing skill challenges of Kerala

Dr. Reju M T IAS, CEO ASAP is optimistic about the progress made by ASAP. ASAP moves ahead its pursuit with the energy imbibed from its learnings and industry engagement, to build a suitable skill ecosystem for the upcoming generation. In this journey, ASAP could develop many more things that a normal State Skilling mission supposed to do. Development of a Foundation module which is contextualized and interactive, Training partnership Scheme to equip students to become English teachers, an Aptitude test which available in Malayalam and Kerala specific, Community Skill Parks to provide skilling opportunities for the common public, enterprise summits to equip Kerala based TSP, and many more. ASAP looks forward to expand its skill course bouquet with more diverse skill courses that are needed by the industry and to strengthen its armor with uncompromising quality, stretching its muscles with strong industry participation, and reaching out to every youth of Kerala. ASAP gives a glimmer of hope to the emerging nation. Let us gather together under ASAP for a sustainable and inclusive growth of our Nation. Dr. Reju conveyed while presenting the report of ASAP at the Convocation Ceremony of ASAP Students.

Vocational Education to be a part of General Education - Shri. Abdu Rabb

Kerala is in the position to justifiably be proud of its achievement in the area of skill education. The Skill education arena in the state had undergone a tremendous change in the recent past, subsequently the place we lost by the globalization as a hub of skilled manpower, is slowly regaining by the ASAP. Minister for Education Shri P K Abdu Rabb was inaugurating the convocation ceremony of ASAP students. He emphasized that the Skill Policy of Kerala shall be merged with formal education.

He said that the day will be remembered as a landmark day in the history of Skill Development Education in Kerala as a flagship initiative of the Education Department. Minister opinioned that

He continued; ASAP could show the entire country that these proposals can be practiced. The innovative design of ASAP seized the attraction of many policy makers. In fact, in the recently concluded summit of education ministers of south Indian States in Bangalore, MHRD Minister appreciated the process of selection of students and allocation of various skill courses to these students after measuring their aptitude. With the inauguration of Community Skill Parks in the next year, ASAP will be offering skilling opportunities not only for the students, but also for the entire population of Kerala. While congratulating students, he also extend his gratitude to industry partners, academic fraternity, official partners and all others those who rendered their support to ASAP.

Effort Must be to Strengthen Entreprenurial Muscle; Kris

Kris Gopalakrishnan was recollecting his cherished memories at his school and college days at Trivandrum. During his time of education schools were just a place to teach and he had to relearn everything to joining the corporate world. He lauded the initiative of ASAP. He pointed out the

importance being flexibility in the syllabus. As the technology is vigorously upgrading day by day, it will be a challenge to keep in flow with this change. A job which is relevant today may disappear tomorrow. Flexibility, constant adaptation and continuous feedback are the needs of this time to sustaining this programme. As every technology is now attached with computer/IT, feeling comfortable in IT is very important. Sri. Kris suggested including basics of Programming concepts in IT module that will enable students to remain updated with the industry. He emphasized entrepreneurship initiatives as a sustainable concept. ASAP must promote entrepreneurship among students by providing governmental aid that will create large employment opportunities. Delivering Keynote address at the ASAP Convocation Ceremony as the Chief Guest, he congratulated all the students who had gone through the programme and the entire team of ASAP for the passion and vision.

ASAP benchmarks employability skills

Shri. G. Vijayaragavan, Member State Planning Board viewed ASAP as a model skill development initiative happening in our country. The success of ASAP lies in the dedicated team work and active participation of stakeholders. Constant reviewing and corrective measures have played a key role in the successful implementation of the programme. ASAP has managed to gain confidence of the Government, as the system itself categorize outgoing students of Kerala as those who are with ASAP Certificate and others without ASAP Certification. He highlighted that students who had gone through the programme is having an advantage of additional skills that help them to acquire a better job. He observed that ASAPians will be able to find a better job faster than others. Shri Vigayaraghavan congratulated the students and the entire ASAP team.
Convocation Address: ASAP

ASAP emerges as a trend setter in Skilling

The fact which makes ASAP different is the vision which the team is constantly upholding.Shri. Nandakumar mentionedthat ASAP stands different from skill development programmes in the country where myriad initiatives failed to sustain due to quality of delivering. Emphasizing on the opinion made by Chief Guest regarding entrepreneurship, Shri Nandakumar added that students who are capable and willing to start a new organization, having the ability to bear the risks must be encouraged and promoted. He also expressed his concern in the attitude of parents who shows hesitation in including their students in the programme. He added that ASAP will continue to be the most successful programmes on which state can be proud. 

(Felicitation Address by Shri. N Nandakumar IAS, Director Collegiate Education at the Convocation Ceremony of ASAP)

Communication Skill; Yardstick for employability

Shri Michael King expressed his view that in an increasingly globalized market education along with vocational training in various sectors and developing communication skills is required to sustain. He congratulated the policy makers and officials of the government of Kerala for identifying this need and implementing ASAP as a remedial solution. Also, he noted that the British Council is proud to associate with ASAP by providing online language assessment through APTIS test. 

A valid tool which measures language skill is important for institutions, potential employers and individuals. As more and more students are assessed, a database is being built. If ASAP becomes the precursor of this programme across India, they can also be done across the country. In a way, it can compare, analyze and evaluate to contribute for the better planning of future. Shri Michael King congratulated the students.
(Shri. Michael King, Director, British Council at the Convocation Ceremony of ASAP)

ASAP committed to develop Kerala as a Skill hub; Reju IAS

ASAP committed to develop Kerala as a Skill hub; Reju IAS

Almost 1.25 lakh students in our state is being skilled as part of initiatives like ASAP and
other government projects this year. This itself provides immense opportunities for prospective entrepreneurs in skilling. ASAP is committed to render service to any players who are willing to work for the development of our system. It envisions an incubation platform for such enterprising individuals and agencies.

 However, ASAP is not compromising quality in delivery as adhering to NSQF (National Skill Quality Framework) and National Occupational Standards (NOS). Dr.MT Reju IAS CEO ASAP was addressing CONNECT 2015. CONNECT is a workshop designed by ASAP in association with Kerala Academy for Skill Excellence (KASE), National Skill Development Agency (NSDA) and National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) to provide an opportunity to develop, equip and engage prospective Training Service Providers with the support systems so as to run Skill Development initiatives both at state and national level.