More than 150 million students will be provided vocational training to ensure employment opportunities for school drop outs. The National Framework on Vocational Education, which was launched yesterday,enables these students to register in vocational courses after passing eighth standard. Students can register in various vocational courses like carpentering, para-medical, hospitality and construction among others.

The framework will have seven level of certification providing students multi-level entry and exit options enabling them to seek employment after class XII. The programme to be implemented across the country in 2012 is aimed to merge the school drop outs with the country's skilled workforce.

Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal, said that under the new initiative the Central Board of Secondary Education will provide degrees in vocational education. Stating that of the 200 million students who enroll for Class One every year only 20 million are able to complete class 12, Mr Sibal said that the aim is to bring the vocationally empowered students on par with those having paper degrees.