Media and Entertainment Skills Council (MESC) launched India’s first and largest creative and aptitude test Media and Entertainment Creative Aptitude Test (MECAT) for students aspiring to join the media and entertainment industry. MECAT has been designed keeping in mind the career prospects in the 12 sub-sectors related to M&E such as Animation, Graphics, Web Designing, Gaming, VFX, Filmmaking, Advertising, Music, etc.
The event witnessed participation from over 500 academic institutions, experts and students and was launched in the august presence of Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE, Govt. Of India) secretary Rajesh Aggarwal, FICCI-AVGC chairman and Punnaryug founder Ashish Kulkarni, Lakshya Digital CEO Manvendra Shukul, Aptech country head Vishal Mehra, FICCI director Rajesh Pankaj and MESC CEO Mohit Soni at FICCI auditorium, New Delhi, on Saturday.
During the event, MESC also flagged off 100 job fairs and career counselling sessions across the country to provide career opportunities for thousands of aspirants in the media and entertainment sector.
Speaking on the occasion, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship secretary Rajesh Aggarwal said, “There is a significant need to integrate design thinking in every sector as it may benefit the end outcome and will open new opportunities for the existing and future workforce. In the light of this launch of MECAT and 100 job mela is a critical step initiated by MESC. He also emphasised the need for training the trainers and the importance of soft skills and communication for one to be successful.”
MESC, Mukta arts and Whistling Woods International chairman Subhash Ghai through video voice message congratulated the whole team at MESC and said that the timing of the introduction of MECAT is a milestone in the Indian creative education space. This will help parents and students to identify their aptitude at an early stage and nourishment of skills can be in the right direction.
FICCI AVGC Forum chairman and Punnaryug Artvision founder Ashish Kulkarni said, “The basic requirements to be in our industry are creative art, performing art, writing skills, design, and many more. MECAT is an initiative which helps new generation kids to align career prospective pathways in the right direction. Identification of career options and timely counselling is the need of the hour.” MECAT will be rightfully positioned in the Indian education and skilling eco-system and will prove vital for all the concerned stakeholders like students, parents, teachers, education and skilling institutions and much more. It will create a living tradition in establishing the creative industry vertical at par with science and commerce. MECAT will create several benchmarks for preparation for students to secure admission and career pathways. The National Education Policy 2020 will now allow school students from sixth grade onwards till the 12th grade to take vocational creative programs in the mainstream. Hence an introduction of MECAT is perfectly timed.
Lakshya Digital CEO Manvendra Shukul highlighted the need for MECAT in the gaming sector. He said the industry demand is huge and we need to prepare the workforce in line with the requirements. He shared his vision of destination India and how this will substantially open international opportunities.
Aptech Industry Connect Alliance and Placement (ICAP) country head Vishal Mehra highlighted how one should prepare themselves for better career opportunities. He also mentioned about their past success of virtual job fairs with MESC and the plans for making these 100 job fairs offer opportunities for everyone aspiring to be a part of.
FICCI director Rajesh Pankaj highlighted the growth of the industry, the opportunities thereof and the various initiatives taken by FICCI to strengthen the skilling ecosystem.
MESC CEO Mohit Soni said, “MECAT has been created with the vision to propel the media and entertainment industry towards growth. Identify the best aspirants with the right aptitude and creative bent and offer them the option to choose amongst the best training institutions and the right program as per the MECAT Score.
The event ended with a vote of thanks to all dignitaries and participants.
