LIFE COMPETENCIES FOR GROWTH AND SUCCESS is a complete guide for trainers engaged in promoting life skills training and education. In today’s complex world, life competencies play a very important role in shaping the personality of individuals, in helping them establish their self-identity and in preparing them to face the myriad challenges of life more effectively. This will coalesce into producing more conscientious, responsible and productive members of society. This Trainer’s Manual can be used for training diverse groups of participants—those working with business firms or in the social development sector, young entrepreneurs, job aspirants, young executives looking for career-promoting and growth-oriented training opportunities, and technical or vocational trainees at different technical institutes under the skill-development programme of the Government of India. The Manual will also serve as a useful guide for self-improvement and self-training by all those who may not have access to formal training opportunities. The modular approach followed in the Manual will help trainers and training institutes in designing custom-made programmes for their groups. Review I have known Dr Agochiya for more than three decades. This Manual reflects his vast international experience as a trainer and an expert in youth empowerment, particularly in the field of life skills development. I am sure it will enhance the understanding and knowledge base of the facilitators in preparing youth to meet the challenges of life confidently. (P.K. Mishra, Former Chief Secretary, UP, and ex-Member, Union Public Service Commission) In the realm of training of trainers, this volume is a fine example of a researched guide. It is exceptional because of the inputs in terms of theory, application and innovation. Undoubtedly, it will prove valuable to all those engaged in personal development and the advancement of a flourishing humanistic society. In my professional opinion, no one is more qualified than Dr Agochiya to produce such a trainer’s Manual. (Jitendra Mohan, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, Panjab University) The Manual is a seminal piece of work in life skills education. If we have to produce confident, efficient and professional young workforce, it is necessary that vocational or entrepreneurial skills imparted by various training agencies are complemented by developing life skills as well. The Manual developed by Dr Agochiya who is an internationally acknowledged expert in youth development and training, provides this opportunity. (Jagadananda, Mentor and Co-founder―CYSD; Chairperson: Transparency International India (Odisha Chapter); Member, State Audit Advisory Board; former State Information Commissioner) Dr Agochiya has been associated with the IALSE programmes for nearly a decade. His rich experience as a trainer and his wide-ranging knowledge about life skills and human behaviour are evident in the contents of the Manual and the manner in which the material is presented. I am confident that his effort will give a significant boost to life skills education in India. (Dr R.J. Solomon, President, Indian Association of Life Skills Education (IALSE)) About the Author Devendra Agochiya has over three decades of rich and varied experience of working with national and international organizations engaged in the fields of youth and social development, training, empowerment and management. He has worked for about 12 years (1969–80), in senior professional positions, with an international NGO in New Delhi―International Youth Centre. He has worked for about 18 years with the Youth Affairs Division of the Commonwealth Secretariat―first as the Regional Director for Asia and then as Head of the Division based in London, the headquarters of the Secretariat. He has been actively associated with the planning and delivery of a wide range of training programmes for a variety of target groups, including policy makers, senior government and non-government officials, business executives and young people in India and other Commonwealth countries. He is presently working as a freelance consultant with a number of national and international agencies in training and development and related areas.
