Empowering Future-ready Vocational Educators: COL-CEMCA and NIOS Lead Capacity Building Initiative

The Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (COL-CEMCA), in collaboration with the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), hosted a three-day capacity-building workshop from 15 to 17 May 2025 in NOIDA, Uttar Pradesh. Bringing together over 70 vocational educators from Accredited Vocational Institutions (AVIs) across Delhi NCR, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Bhopal, Jaipur, and Prayagraj regions, the workshop focused on enhancing the quality and effectiveness of vocational education at the school level.

The key objectives of the workshop were to empower vocational educators with 21st century teaching methodologies; equip them with digital tools for blended learning; enhance instructional design and communication skills; improve learners' outcome and employability; and equip them with future-ready skills and pedagogical approaches to improve vocational training delivery at the school level. The workshop sessions, interspersed with group activities for hands-on training, equipped the participants with a deeper understanding of NEP 2020, their roles and responsibilities as educators, harnessing AI and ICT tools for vocational instructions, communication skills for effective teaching, and using innovative instructional methods and media effectively.

Delivering the keynote address at the inauguration of the workshop, Dr B. Shadrach, Director of COL-CEMCA, underscored the critical role of vocational education in enhancing employability. Citing international models such as Germany’s dual system and Singapore’s Institute of Technical Education, he highlighted the importance of industry collaboration, flexible curricula, and technology integration. Dr Shadrach proposed the revival of the National Virtual Open School, an initiative conceptualised by COL-CEMCA and NIOS over a decade ago, and called for a comprehensive business plan to scale enrolment from 40,000 to 4 million learners by 2030.

Professor Nirmaljeet Singh Kalsi, IAS (Retd), highlighted the immense potential for strengthening vocational education in India with reference to the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) for School Education 2023. He emphasised the importance of aligning the education system with the aspirations of the majority of students who seek employment or entrepreneurial opportunities after school. Professor Kalsi advocated for a more inclusive and flexible approach through modular, stackable skill courses where COL-CEMCA can support them, and stronger collaboration with the industry. He underlined the need for hands-on, learner-centric training methods and encouraged the integration of micro-learning and blended pedagogy to enhance student engagement.

Professor Pankaj Arora, Chairman of NIOS, echoed the urgency to mainstream vocational education and praised Prof Kalsi’s vision. He announced plans for a four-year integrated teacher education programme tailored for vocational educators and highlighted the importance of life skills and emotional learning to support students in real-world settings. He also proposed a brainstorming session with COL-CEMCA to further explore the possibilities of virtual schooling.

The workshop concluded with a shared commitment to transforming vocational education into a dynamic, inclusive, and future-ready system, with empowered educators leading the way.