Building Capabilities of Informal Workers by Recognition of Prior Learning: The Current Practice and Alternatives

Mehrotra, Santosh and Sharma, Anita and Mehrotra, Vinay Swarup (2025) Building Capabilities of Informal Workers by Recognition of Prior Learning: The Current Practice and Alternatives. Working Paper. Azim Premji University, Bengaluru.

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Abstract

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a key pillar of India’s Skill India mission under the National Policy for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (NPSDE) 2015, aimed at formalizing the skills of its vast informal workforce, which accounts for over 91% of total employment. By bridging the gap between experiential learning and formal certification, RPL has the potential to enhance employability, economic mobility, and workforce productivity. However, India's RPL implementation faces significant challenges, including regulatory misalignment, limited industry adoption, and low stakeholder awareness, along with logistical barriers such as evidence verification and assessment costs. Primarily certification-driven, it lacks integration into the vocational training system, limiting its effectiveness as a pathway for skill advancement and higher income. Moreover, RPL is often used as a shortcut to boost certification numbers rather than as a tool for meaningful skill development. This paper examines the evolution, implementation, and impact of RPL in India using national labor force survey data while benchmarking it against global best practices from countries such as South Africa and the UK. The study identifies key policy gaps and proposes strategic recommendations to strengthen RPL, ensuring it transitions from a certification-centric model to a robust mechanism for workforce inclusion, quality vocational education, and sustainable skill development.

Item Type:	Monograph (Working Paper)
Authors:	Mehrotra, Santosh and Sharma, Anita and Mehrotra, Vinay Swarup
Document Language:	Language English
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), Informal Workforce, Skill Development, Vocational Education, Industrial Training Institutes (ITI), Workforce Certification, Craft Instructors Training, Skill India Initiative, TVET, Economic Mobility, Workforce Inclusion.
Subjects:	Social sciences > Economics > Labor economics > Labor force and market Social sciences > Economics > Production > Economic policy, economic development, economic growth > Specific policies Social sciences > Economics > Macroeconomics & related topics > Factors affecting income and wealth Social sciences > Education
Divisions:	Azim Premji University - Bengaluru > University Publications > Working Paper
Full Text Status:	Public
URI:	http://publications.azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/id/eprint/6158
Publisher URL:	https://azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/

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