A survey is being conducted to explore overall perceptions of young people about employment avenues they want to avail and the factors influencing it. The study was conducted in 10 schools near villages of Sonipat, Haryana where 944 students participated. Mixed methodology consisting of both Quantitative and Qualitative research methods was used while conducting this study.
Objectives of the Study:
- To understand Livelihood aspirations of the youth.
- To understand their awareness about the local livelihood opportunities available to them.
- To understand their perceptions about the barriers in pursuing these livelihood opportunities
- To understand their awareness and perceptions about government programmes on Employment creation and skill development.
- To understand their perceptions about Skill Development programmes (Industrial Training Institutes) – awareness and willingness to join.
Key findings
- 944 youths in the school took part in the survey, 500 boys and 444 girls in 10 schools.
- A majority of girls (35%) have shown their preference towards professions such as Teacher, Engineer, Accountant, Advocate, Banking, Scientist and Pilot. This is followed by 31% girls interested in pursuing govt. jobs.
- 40% boys want to pursue govt. jobs, 23% boys (% more than girls )do not know what they want to do in their career.
- 17% boys want to pursue technical professions but only 3% girls want that
- 44% Boys and 36% girls believe competition to be among the primary challenges in the pursuit of job. More girls (26% ) as compared to (20%) boys have stated Unavailability of financial resource s to be a major constraint for them to find jobs. Qualitatively, a lot of them stated that they want to work so as to improve the financial condition of the house.
- A majority (53%) girls believe that they aren’t aware of the career opportunities available to them whereas only (47%) boys do so.
- A majority of girls (53%) do not participate or help in the occupation of their parents where as a majority of boys (54%) do. The girls who agreed on helping their parents in their professions did it in the capacity of helping with the household chores where boys actually took part within the trade or occupation acquiring skill set.
- A majority of boys (57%) and girls (52%) are interested in pursuing business at some point in their lives. A considerable % of girls have said that they want to pursue businesses/ ventures that benefit the society, eliminate poverty and help women come ahead in their lives.
- 63% of boys and 50% of girls are aware about the ITIs, 57.1 % in total but only 63% youth do not want to take admissions in the ITIs. 67% girls and 58% boys do not want to take admission in the ITIs.
- Most youth find career related information from Newspaper (31%) followed by Teachers (23%), Family (21%) and other sources (16%).
- 71% youths are not familiar with any government scheme related to livelihoods/employment generation.
Ways Forward:
Following are the ways forward towards enhancing the participation of youth in workforce and the existing present economy:
- Career counselling with the objective of enhancing the participation of youth in existing and upcoming industries.
- Building and Strengthening the skill set of the Youth by dissemination of information about skill development programmes of the Government of Haryana including the Industrial Training Institutes.
- Guidance/ Exposure related to setting up own business.
- Information about Govt. schemes supporting meritorious students financially and employment related programmes to be given to youth in the Livelihood mela/classrooms as a substantial number of students stated the challenge to be insufficient financial resources.
- Engagement/Counselling of parents with girls who are facing resistance at home to
- pursue further work opportunities or who’s parents do not want to invest in their careers.
