THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Agriculture is fast losing out as a profession chosen by youngsters. The efforts of the Directorate of Vocational Higher Secondary Education to groom the younger generation into trained agri-professionals have fallen flat time and again with certificate holders rarely taking up real-time agricultural jobs.As a step to resolving the paradox, the VHSE is set to organise a ‘Finishing school’ for those who have qualified VHSE plus-two (agriculture), in collaboration with the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU). The project is to have a formal inauguration at Hotel Highland here on Friday at 10 am.Said Johny K John, Director, VHSE, “Those who have completed vocational education in agriculture are also reluctant to take up self-employment in agriculture and allied sectors. Though vocational education in Kerala at higher secondary level was started with the purpose of meeting the shortage of skilled manpower and entrepreneurs, the trained students are yet to make a visible impact in the sector as responsible agri-professionals.”To finalise a plan for the finishing school, a workshop is scheduled to be held after the inaugural function. The teachers and officers of VHSE and scientists of KAU will participate in the workshop, said S Mothilal Nehru, Associate Director of Extension, VHSE and Project Leader. He added that capacity building of VHSE certificate holders will be one of the important objectives of the project. “The aim will be to enhance their employability and entrepreneurial competency,’’ he said.The workshop will focus on developing the course content, structure and modus operandi of the project so as to achieve the above goals. The thrust will be on giving hands-on training to empower the trainees as competent partners who can contribute to the agricultural development process, said Johny K John. It will also aim to develop a model of the project through the course of the workshop.The workshop will be followed up with a series of brainstorming-cum-planning sessions in the city as well as in Thrissur and Kasargod as part of finalising the course content, Identification of Subject Matter Specialists (SMS) and procedure for selection of students.Johny K John will inaugurate the finishing school workshop, while Svarup John Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, KAU, will preside over the function.
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