VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS IN INDIAN COLLEGE STUDENTS: A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF STUDENT EXPERIENCES AND PERCEPTIONS

Abstract

The transition from higher education to employment has become an important concern in India especially as employers are increasingly expecting graduates to demonstrate not only disciplinary knowledge but also transferable employability competencies. Therefore, vocational education, practical learning, internships and industry engagement have attracted more attention in Indian higher-education policy. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 explicitly advocates the integration of vocational education into mainstream higher education and emphasizes internships and experiential engagement with industry and other workplaces as pathways for students to combine academic learning with employability skills. Government Portal+1 Education

The present qualitative study explores the perception of Indian college students toward vocational education and its contribution to employability skills. It focuses specifically on students' experiences in practical learning, communication, teamwork, problem-solving, digital competence, career confidence, internships and industry exposure

Vocational education can enhance employability by equipping students with occupation-specific knowledge and creating opportunities for students to practice communication, teamwork, problem-solving, self-management, and workplace adaptation. But the effectiveness of vocational education is affected by the quality of practical learning, the involvement of industry, the support of institutions and the students' understanding of career paths.