Priyanka Choudhary’s Journey from Vocational Education to Professional Triumph

Priyanka Choudhary is a  smart student from Madhya Pradesh. She chose to study electronics and hardware when she was in 9th grade. Her family struggled financially after her father passed away. Her mother, who worked as a farmer, was the sole provider for the family.

Priyanka was excited about the vocational course. She started learning different concepts and practical skills related to electronics in her classes.

After finishing 12th grade last year in the academic session 2022-2023, Priyanka found out about a job opening at Lytage Electronic Pvt. Ltd., which was close to her home. She applied and, thanks to her vocational education, she passed the interview and got hired as a LED testing trainee in June 2023. Normally, trainees were paid Rs 6000 per month, but because Priyanka had skills she was paid Rs 7000 monthly.

Priyanka’s job involves testing various types of LED bulbs, both indoor and outdoor, after they have been manufactured. This means she checks them to ensure they are working correctly and meet quality standards before they are sent out to customers.

Priyanka’s family resides in a village, where the cost of living tends to be lower. Priyanka’s salary from her job at Lytage Electronic Pvt. Ltd. significantly contributes to her family’s financial well-being. Despite working, she also decided to continue her studies and is currently in her second year of a BA program.  She’s going to be promoted to a supervisor position soon, where she’ll earn more than Rs 10,000 per month. Priyanka’s family is proud of her achievements. She credits vocational education for enabling her to start earning at a young age and support her family financially.

Journey from Curiosity to Innovation

This is a story about Sourabh Jhariya, a bright 11th class (2023-2024) student from a village where there aren’t many resources like schools or coaching centers. His dad runs a small shop, and his mom stays at home. When Sourabh was in 8th grade, he found out his school offered vocational classes, and he chose to learn about electronics and hardware instead of Sanskrit because he liked working with electronic gadgets.

At first, Sourabh didn’t know much about electronics, but he was curious and eager to learn. He asked his teacher lots of questions and practiced hard. After a few months of learning, Sourabh got the hang of basic electronics and understood how electrical things worked. He even learned how to fix things like motors, mixers, fans, and switches. He learnt how to fix broken equipment around his house, like motors, mixers, fans, and switches etc. When the school announced the results, Sourabh was the top student in his class and got the highest marks in electronics. When he moved up to 10th grade, he continued to excel in his studies.

Then, something exciting happened. The school organized a skill expo, where students could show off projects they made. Sourabh came up with an ecofriendly project called “Smart Railway Accident Protection with Electricity Generation from Highway” to prevent train accidents using renewable energy from moving vehicles.After winning in school level competition his project got selected for a district-level competition in Bhopal, where he won first place among many other schools. Later, he went to a state-level expo in Bhopal and got selected to go to Delhi for a 5-day event where he learned about different industries and technology. It was a big moment for him and his school.

Now, he’s getting ready for another big expo where the Skill Minister will be the guest. Sourabh’s achievements have not only made his school proud but also inspired his classmates and other students.

Sparking Innovation: Ayush Gupta’s Voyage through Vocational Training

Ayush Gupta, a 11th-grade student, from the academic year 2023-2024  comes from a modest family. His father works with a photography studio, while his mother manages the household.

In the 11th grade, Ayush was introduced to the concept of vocational education. After that he consulted with his vocational teacher and opted for electronics and hardware trade. Under the guidance of his teacher, Ayush delved into the world of electronics, starting with the basics.

He familiarized himself with essential tools like the soldering iron and learned to wield it with precision. Through practical experiments, Ayush grasped the functions of a multimeter, using it to measure AC voltage and diode resistance, among other physical quantities.Ayush’s exploration extended to computer hardware, where he gained hands-on experience assembling and disassembling computers. 

Diving into computer software, Ayush worked on word processing tasks and mastered the installation of Windows 10. His involvement in school activities expanded as he assisted with data entry, projector operations, and supported his father’s business endeavours. Ayush has confidence in his abilities that he is envisioning the possibility of running his own business someday.

Under the mentorship of vocational trainer Shri Shriram Jaiswal ji, Ayush and his peers embarked on a project, “Students All Data in One Click,”. After participating in STARS Project, Ayush secured the second position at the district level. Subsequently, they represented their school in the state-level competition and even embarked on an exposure visit to Delhi.

Inspired by his journey, Ayush sets his sights on a future where his skills and determination pave the way for success in both personal and professional endeavors.

Ankit Sen’s Rise from Financial Struggles to Entrepreneurial Success

Ankit Sen, an ordinary student from CM Rise in Chargwan District Jabalpur, faced financial struggles as his father’s sole income came from a small salon shop in the village. Despite these challenges, Ankit harboured a deep fascination with computers from a young age, eagerly exploring tasks like opening them, shutting them down, printing, and browsing the internet.

After completing his tenth grade, Ankit got to know about vocational education offered in his school, so he asked his principal. The principal emphasized the significance of this vocational education. Motivated by this encouragement, Ankit enrolled in the Electronics and Hardware trade in eleventh grade for the academic session 2022-23.

As he progressed through his studies, Ankit’s passion for computers and electronic machines only deepened. He seized an opportunity to work at a cybercafé in the village, where he applied his skills and began earning a modest income.

Upon completing his twelfth-grade final exams, Ankit took a bold step forward by establishing his own computer shop in February 2024. Leveraging his expertise in both hardware and software, Ankit now handles all aspects of computer-related services such as filling exam forms, LIC forms Pan Card and Aadhar Card assistance, as well as printouts etc.Now he is earning 200 to 300 rupees per day. His determination and entrepreneurial spirit have enabled him to turn his passion into a successful business venture.

Looking ahead, Ankit envisions a promising career in the field of computers as he is planning to pursue Bcom.

He is committed to furthering his education in this domain while simultaneously growing his business. Ankit’s journey serves as a testament to the power of determination and the transformative potential of vocational education in shaping the future of ambitious individuals like himself.

From Classroom to Career: Saleem’s Journey in Electronics and Hardware Trade

Saleem Das Sonwani, a hardworking student in 12th grade at Govt. HSS Salwah in Mandla, Madhya Pradesh academic year 2024-25, chose Electronics and Hardware trade in 9th class. For two years, Saleem learned all about the subject, understanding its fundamental concepts and refining his skills through hands-on practice in the school’s well-equipped labs.

Once he felt confident in his knowledge, Saleem wanted to apply it practically. He approached his uncle, an electrician, for an opportunity to work alongside him. Confident in his abilities, Saleem believed he possessed the necessary skills to tackle a variety of repair tasks. As he accompanied his uncle, he demonstrated his proficiency by fixing various appliances including fridges, electric boards, fans, lights, coolers, and mixer grinders with care and expertise. For each day of work, Saleem typically earns between 100 to 200 rupees. 

Saleem dreams big for his future. Now Saleem is in 12th grade, in the future he wants to study Electrical Engineering, inspired by his love for electronics and his desire to grow professionally. He thinks vocational classes, like the one he took, are valuable.

They not only teach useful skills but also open doors to different careers, guiding students toward successful futures. Saleem’s journey shows how vocational education can change lives. With hard work, he’s gained practical skills and set himself on a promising path in the electrical field. Saleem believes every student should have the chance to explore vocational classes because they offer many opportunities and can lead to success.

Tanishk Dubey’s Vocational Education Odyssey

Tanishk Dubey, is a class 12 (2023-2024) student from Government Higher Secondary School in Rampur, District Chhindwara. From a young age, Tanishk had a fascination with electronics and hardware.

When he reached high school, he decided to pursue his passion by studying vocational subjects like Electronics and Hardware. Tanishk wasn’t the top student in all his subjects, but when it came to electronics, he was always eager to learn and participate in practical classes. He enjoyed tinkering with electrical gadgets like fans, motors, and bulbs, learning how they worked and how to fix them when they broke. For two years, from 9th to 10th grade, Tanishk immersed himself in the world of electronics, soaking up knowledge and skills.

However, in 11th and 12th grade his school didn’t offer classes for electronics and hardware anymore, so he chose plumbing instead. Unfortunately, he didn’t pass his 12th grade exams. Determined not to give up, he decided to give it another shot and started preparing to reappear for the exams.

Meanwhile, thanks to the knowledge he gained from vocational education, Tanishk had acquired valuable skills in electrical and plumbing work. Tanishk is determined to pass his 12th  grade exams because  he has his sights set on pursuing further education in electronics, perhaps even enrolling in ITI. His story teaches us not to give up on our dreams, no matter what challenges we face.

He began taking up part-time jobs in wiring and electrical fittings, earning around 200 to 300 rupees each time he worked. It was a modest income, but it gave him a sense of pride and independence. His success inspired his little sister to choose electronics and hardware trade, who’s a top student in her class.

Students are currently engaged in on-the-job training (OJT) to enhance their skills, organized as part of the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan. In Madhya Pradesh, it started on May 1, 2024. This internship spans 80 hours, with students dedicating 4 to 5 hours per day for training, totalling 20 days.

During this period, students step out of their school’s comfort zone to gain practical experience in the real world. Prior to starting the OJT program, vocational trainers liaise with shop owners, obtaining permission and signatures on agreements outlining that school students will undergo training and gain real-world experience from their establishments.

Throughout the OJT, vocational trainers accompany students, hand holding them and counselling them. In Madhya Pradesh, many students from the electronics and hardware trade experience their OJT in electrical shops and equipment repair stores. Here, students learn:

1. The manufacturing process of domestic electrical boards.

2. Techniques for electrical fitting in homes.

3. Production and repair procedures for coolers and fans.

4. Amplifier fundamentals, types, components, and functionality.

5. Insights into home-use mixers, including motor operation.

6. Detailed understanding of sound systems and amplifiers.

7. Installation of switches, plug pins, and regulators in household boards, along with tube-light and LED bulb faults and connections electricity supply mechanisms.

8. Health and safety protocols, water assembly and disassembly, grinder and drill machine operation, electronic iron components and characteristics, submersible motor operation etc. 

This OJT undoubtedly enriches students’ subject knowledge, offering them practical learning beyond the classroom. Based on previous experiences, we’ve observed students pursuing part-time jobs leveraging their OJT experience. This program serves as a catalyst for students’ success and earning potential.

My name is Sujan Singh, and I work as a vocational trainer at Laqsh Company, Govt. Sr. Sec. School Vikrampur, Dindori, specializing in the Electronics and Hardware subject. I commenced my journey here on June 28, 2021.

From the beginning of the academic year, we immersed ourselves in various practical electronics activities such as LED bulb repairing, practical series & parallel connections,  amongst others. Every concept was diligently practiced in our lab sessions. Thereafter I organized industrial visits and conducted guest lectures, enabling students to gain additional knowledge.

My students are currently undertaking their OJT at two stores: Maa Sarada Enterprise and Karchaan Electronics and Hardware Store. Here, they are learning about coolers, motors, MCBs, mixer and much more. Specifically they are getting onto depth on :-

· The components of a cooler

· The operational principles of a cooler

· The function of capacitors in a motor

· How to determine capacitor ratings

· Techniques for measuring wire width.

· Appropriate wire selection for various applications

· Comprehensive understanding of MCBs, including their selection and ratings

· The functioning and components of a mixer, and much more.

I firmly believe that this OJT provides students with a profound understanding of essential electrical equipment. Students gain the confidence to pursue part-time jobs in the field. This opportunity plays a significant role in enhancing students’ subject knowledge and practical skills.