ATDC’s first B.Voc convocation

“It was a good step by UGC and AICTE to introduce B.Voc program and our B.Voc degrees to the students represent 2000 hours of intense skill development and 1000 hours of general inputs from RGNIYD. This is the only institution in the country which is able to give one uniform B.Voc Degree recognized across India and abroad that also corresponding NSQF level of 5,6 & 7 Certificates through AMH-SSC Certification” said Dr. Darlie Koshy, DG & CEO, ATDC at the very first certificate distribution and award ceremony of the Apparel Training & Design Centre (ATDC). The ceremony was organised by ATDC to felicitate the first two batches of B.Voc students on 21st November 2019 at the Apparel House auditorium, Gurugram.

Along with the 231 graduating students from 2 cohorts and from 14 ATDC Centres and other 116 students, the ceremony witnessed a massive gathering of students. The award function was graced by the presence of many dignitaries along with Dr. (Prof) Anil Sahasrabudhe, Chairman of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) as chief guest, Sri H K L Magu, Chairman, ATDC & AEPC, Dr. Darlie O. Koshy, DG & CEO, ATDC and Sri Rakesh Vaid, Sr. Vice-Chairman, ATDC.

Sri H K L Magu, Chairman, ATDC & AEPC presided over the function and Dr. (Prof) Anil Sahasrabudhe, Chairman of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) distributed the Certificates and Awards to the students.

Sri H K L Magu, Chairman, ATDC & AEPC

In his speech, Sri H K L Magu, Chairman, ATDC & AEPC, said that the apparel industry is one of the largest industries that creates massive job opportunities in the country. He also said that along with employing 12.90 million people, the sector also helps in dealing with the migration issue to some extent as apparel sector is the most suited for employment avenues especially for rural farm labour migrants. He then added that the industry is going to add 13 million more jobs by 2020 taking both export and domestic sectors together.

Keynote by Dr. (Prof.) Anil Sahasrabudhe, Chairman of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)

Delivering his key-note, Dr. (Prof) Anil Sahasrabudhe, Chairman of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) said that B.Voc is a major tool for transformation of youth in countries like India especially for SME Sector as it is one of the largest sources of employment. The B.Voc course addresses all the ‘employability’ factors which combine adequately, Skills, Knowledge and Life & Soft Skills. He also said that B.Voc gives respectability and creates dignity of labour which is so important. He explained how B.Voc had its roots through the initiative of AICTE taken in 2012. He also said that RGNIYD, under the Ministry of Youth Affairs supported ATDC and now the two cohorts of students are receiving the B.Voc Degrees.

Sri Rakesh Vaid, Sr. Vice-Chairman, ATDC

In his address, Sri Rakesh Vaid, Sr. Vice-Chairman, ATDC advised the students, going forward while working with the industry to play a key role in upgrading the efficiency and productivity of the industry so that the competitiveness of the industry can gear up to face intense global competition and take the fashion as a path of ‘sustainability’. In his speech, he explained how ATDC has emerged as India’s Largest Quality Vocational Training provider for the apparel sector with about 175 – run ATDCs including DDU-GKY Academies and ATDC-Vocational Institutes spread across 24 states, 85 cities and about 150 districts PAN-India. He also said that ATDC is a unique skill training organization offering Shop-Floor, Supervisory and Managerial Level training courses i.e. 300 hrs. to 3000 hrs., ranging from NSQF level 01-03 to 05-07 i.e. from ISDS (MOT, GOI) short term entry-level certificate courses to longer-duration Bachelor Degree (B. Voc) programs.

Dr. Darlie Koshy, DG & CEO, ATDC

Beside sharing a detailed report on ATDC, Dr. Darlie Koshy, DG & CEO, ATDC also recalled how in 2012, AICTE had set up the ‘Curricula Committee’ for Textile, Fashion and Apparel Sectors to develop a contemporary curricula and subsequently the same was released at the hands of Hon’ble Minister for Textiles and the Secretary (Textiles). Later, in 2015, with AICTE approving ATDC as a ‘Skill and Knowledge Provider’ (SKP) ATDC had entered into an agreement with Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD), an Institution of National Importance (INI) under an Act of Parliament 35/2012) to launch the B.Voc programme in two distinct tracks of ‘Fashion Design & Retail’ and ‘Apparel Manufacturing & Entrepreneurship’. With 2000 hrs. of intense skill training and 1000 hrs. of general subjects, the programme has been able to deliver a well-rounded and skilled individuals and the response of the Industry has been encouraging with students finding excellent placements.

Related article: How B.Voc is making work-integrated skilling aspirational in the Apparel industry – Read more: https://nationalskillsnetwork.in/how-b-voc-is-making-work-integrated-skilling-aspirational-in-the-apparel-industry/

Total enrollment in B.Voc programs till date has been 1139 students. 1st batch in 2015 at 14 ATDC SKPs with 156 students. 5th batch in 2019 at 21 ATDC SKPs with 275 students. Currently about 800 students are undergoing training in B.Voc programs.

Following the Award Ceremony, a students’ ‘Medley of Dances’ from 10 States across India and a Fashion Presentation of 55 garments were presented at ‘Meraki – 2019’ at the Apparel House Auditorium.