Improve Skills of Graduates in Tamil Nadu

To improve the skills of outgoing graduates in Tamil Nadu and enhance their employability, a comprehensive, multi-pronged approach is needed. Based on recent initiatives and reports, the following steps should be taken:

Key Steps to Improve Skills of Graduates in Tamil Nadu

1. Industry-Aligned Curriculum and Job Role Mapping

The Tamil Nadu State Council for Higher Education (TANSCHE) has proposed mapping job roles relevant to each course and aligning curricula with industry expectations. This helps students acquire the specific competencies demanded by employers before graduation4.
Tailoring education to job roles ensures graduates are job-ready, reducing the need for extensive on-the-job training.

2. Mandatory Skill Development Courses

Introducing mandatory employability and domain-specific skill courses (such as digital skills, advanced tally with GST, graphic design) as part of the academic curriculum equips students with practical, job-relevant skills2.
This bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.

3. Internships and Industry Exposure

Facilitating internships and industry tie-ups during the course of study allows students to gain hands-on experience and understand workplace expectations4.
Internship programs also enhance networking opportunities and improve chances of employment.

4. Focus on Emerging and Future Technologies

Offering training in emerging fields like cloud computing, robotics, big data analytics, AI, and machine learning prepares graduates for future job markets5.
Tamil Nadu’s introduction of over 300 career pathways including emerging tech and competitive exam coaching is a positive step5.

5. Skill Development Programs like Naan Mudhalvan

Expanding successful programs such as Naan Mudhalvan, which has already benefited over 41 lakh students through skill training and entrepreneurship development, can further enhance employability5.
Such programs also help students from rural and tier-2/tier-3 cities access quality skill training and job opportunities34.

6. Focus on Tier-2 and Tier-3 Cities

Special attention to students from smaller cities and rural areas is crucial, as many multinational companies currently avoid these regions despite the available talent pool4.
Creating competent graduates in these areas can attract industry investment and reduce regional disparities.

7. Encouraging Participation in Competitions and Hackathons

Encouraging students to participate in hackathons, national-level competitions, and skill challenges fosters innovation, problem-solving skills, and confidence4.

8. Infrastructure and Curriculum Modernization

Upgrading government polytechnic colleges to Industry 4.0 standards and investing in infrastructure and curriculum modernization ensures students learn with the latest tools and technologies5.

9. Gender-Inclusive Skill Development

Promoting skill development among women through targeted programs, such as those by Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women, ensures equitable growth and taps into the full talent pool5.

10. Continuous Assessment and Skill Registry

Maintaining a skill registry and regularly assessing students’ competencies helps track progress and match graduates with suitable employers efficiently5.

Supporting Context from Reports

The India Skills Report 2025 highlights that over 50% of Indian graduates are employable, showing improvement but also indicating room for growth1.
Mercer-Mettl’s Graduate Skill Index 2025 notes employability challenges, especially in tier-2 and tier-3 colleges, underscoring the need for localized skill interventions6.
Tamil Nadu is among the top states favored for employment but must continue efforts to close the gap between academic output and industry needs7.

Summary

Improving the skills of outgoing graduates in Tamil Nadu requires aligning education with industry needs, expanding skill development programs like Naan Mudhalvan, enhancing practical exposure through internships, modernizing curricula, and focusing on emerging technologies. Special focus on rural and smaller city students, gender inclusivity, and continuous competency assessment will further boost employability and ensure graduates are job-ready in a competitive market.

This holistic approach will not only increase employability but also drive sustainable economic growth in Tamil Nadu.

Citations:

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Wednesday, May 14, 2025