RESOURCES

In this paper the author presents findings from a four-week qualitative research project which engaged over two hundred Indian young people from different states across North India. Through participatory learner-centred activities and an engaging iterative design methodology, (based on a cyclic process of prototyping, testing, analysing and refining), the author and his team were able to engage young learners, seek their views and co-create a more holistic employability curriculum. Working intensely with these young people gave them the opportunity to pilot and test the relevance of the Face work employability training programme which was originally developed in the UK. The programme focuses on helping young people to work together to identify the relevant soft-skills needed for the changing world of work and find creative ways to develop awareness messages, training resources and activities so other students can master these skills. This is done through helping students understand the importance of embracing a Growth Mindset and helping students to identify and grow personal Character Strengths. The Face work India pilot has shown that Indian students are aware of the need to develop their soft-skills, but lack the opportunities to learn and practice these within the current education system.