GE-Tata Trusts skill project shortlisted for the prestigious Financial Times/ International Finance Corporation Transformational Business Awards 2018

The GE-Tata trusts skill project has been shortlisted for the prestigious Financial Times/ International Finance Corporation (FT/IFC) Transformational Business Awards 2018 under the category of Achievement in Sustainable Development: Education, Knowledge and Skills category. In this guest article, Sonu Raina, Senior Operations Manager, Education & Professional Services, GE Healthcare Institute tells us how GE Healthcare has made rapid strides in skilling the youth and making them employable through industry-driven training programs.

“Great thoughts reduced to practice become great acts”- William Hazlitt

India is confronted with a severe paucity of skilled workforce in the Healthcare sector. The availability of healthcare workers is far below the numbers required to meet the demands of the sector, with a projection of an 84% shortfall in the demand-supply gap by 2018. India’s healthcare sector is one of the most vital sectors, considering the fact that we are a country with a population of over 1.2 billion people, a majority of whom are yet to have access to quality healthcare. Further, dynamic technology changes, changing policy and a shift in how providers view patients are the new driving forces in the healthcare industry.

Patient experience is the priority and a key determinant of the ground level impact. Recently, Global exhibition on services 2018, inaugurated by the President of India, saw the launch of 12 champion industries, one of which is Healthcare services. The country is witnessing steady increase in foreign direct investments (up by 31.6 % in the year 2016-17) and medical tourism ( up by 22-25 %). To support the growth, the industry is heavily dependent on educated and skilled workforce.

In view of this, efforts are being made by the government of India to create skilled professionals in the country. The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) was created with the aim of supporting private sector initiatives for skill development. The Healthcare Sector Skill Council (HSSC) was established for creating an enabling ecosystem for skilling specially for the Healthcare sector. Such efforts have been fundamental in inspiring us to enter skill development.

Key outcomes of the skills program
Click the image to view the key outcomes
GE Healthcare Institute is geared to reduce the deficit of skilled healthcare professionals in India and is committed to train 10,000 youth of the country over the next 3 years. The beneficiaries of the GE program get education grant from TATA Trusts and are certified by HSSC which empowers them to pursue their dream career in healthcare. The partnership focuses on bridging the skills gap in healthcare technical or operating staff.

The unique skilling program is aimed primarily at high school graduates from economically weaker sections, seeking to educate and engage them through internships, and empower them for employment. The courses are designed, developed and executed by GE Healthcare Institute (GE HCI), and intended for underprivileged youth such as school dropouts and women, with a view to skill, re-skill and upskill them. GE HCI offers these courses through a mix of both classroom training and interactive practical sessions. The courses are aimed at certification for job roles in X-Ray, Radiography, Medical Equipment, Anaesthesia, Operation Theatre and Cardiac Care Technicians and Diabetic Education Counselling. The candidates will also undergo continuous assessment and internships during this program. The successful candidates, upon clearing the Healthcare Sector Skill Council (HSSC) exam, shall be qualified for certification.Few of the outcomes of the program are highlighted in the above infographic.

GE-Tata trusts skill project has been shortlisted for the prestigious Financial Times/ International Finance Corporation (FT/IFC) Transformational Business Awards 2018 under the category of Achievement in Sustainable Development: Education, Knowledge and Skills category.

Skilling programs targeted at underprivileged youth and women are fundamental in not just empowering them and keeping their aspirations alive, but also in strengthening the entire healthcare ecosystem. The Alumni of the GE Healthcare Institute work with esteemed organizations like Fortis, Apollo Clinic, Jupiter hospitals, Nidan Groups, Nidan Diagnostics, NM Medical, Dr. Lal Path, Sharda Hospitals, Mahajan Imaging, Focus Imaging and so on. The journey is getting more passionate with valuable feedback from industry and clinicians about what value a trained staff adds to patient care.

Availability of quality healthcare to the community largely depends upon the efficacy with which each level discharges their duties where education and training has a key role to play. GE Skilling program is a sincere effort to create social and economic impact through establishing relevant linkages between industry, skilled youth and quality of care. The best way to close this article would be to acknowledge the contribution of the trainers who had immense value to the evolving skills ecosystem.