India's Educational and Employment Landscape

India is at a critical juncture with over 40 million young individuals in higher education and more than 10 million entering the labor market annually. It is crucial to equip them with the necessary skills, confidence, and networks to succeed.

Challenges in Transition from Education to Employment

• The gap between learning and livelihood is deeply human, characterized by fears, uncertainties, and limited exposure.
• First-generation learners and young women face additional hurdles due to societal norms, safety concerns, and low confidence.
• Equal talent does not equate to equal access to opportunities, exacerbated by the rise of Artificial Intelligence.

Importance of Human-Centric Skills

• Employers increasingly value skills like communication, problem-solving, adaptability, and leadership.
• Mentoring is a proven method to cultivate these essential skills, bridging the gap between systemic provisions and personal needs.

Mentoring: A Solution to Bridge the Gap

Mentoring serves as a powerful tool for supporting young people during critical transitions, addressing inequalities in access to opportunities.

Mentoring's Impact on Young Women

• Enhances career decision-making, social intelligence, self-efficacy, and gender attitudes.
• Improves network strength and employment opportunities for young women.
• Example: Bindu, a government engineering college student, secured an apprenticeship leading to full-time employment through mentoring.

Government and Mentoring Integration

• Union Ministry of Labour and Employment incorporates mentoring in the National Career Service platform.
• State governments in Karnataka and Telangana scale mentoring across education sectors.

Building a National Mentoring Movement

A collective effort is needed across various stakeholders to establish mentoring as an essential component of education, skilling, and employment systems.

Roles of Different Stakeholders

• Governments: Develop policy frameworks to integrate mentoring structurally.
• Non-profits: Create training and curriculum frameworks, support implementation.
• Corporates: Mobilize volunteers and networks, incorporate mentoring in CSR and leadership programs.
• Philanthropy: Fund infrastructure and research.
• Researchers: Test and build evidence for effective mentoring strategies.

Ultimately, if even a fraction of India’s professionals mentor a young person annually, it could significantly transform opportunities and aspirations nationwide.