Sources of Human Capital Formation: Education, Training, Migration etc

The compilation of these Human Capital Formation in India Notes makes students exam preparation simpler and organised.

Sources of Human Capital

Human Capital, also known as Human resources is the backbone of any nation. These human resources mainly consist of students who gradually turn into accountants, engineers, or doctors. These students depending on their efficiency and capability become Human Assets for the country. Let us look at the sources of Human Capital.

Human Resource Capital

Human capital formation is eyeing the conversion of human resources into human assets.

Physical Capital: For the development and enhancement of physical assets such as buildings, bridges, factories, etc. all the inputs like tools, machinery, gadgets which are required are called Physical Capital.

Human Capital: Skillset, educational qualifications, subject knowledge, ability, and expertise in the human resource of a nation at a point in time is called Human Capital.

Differences Between Physical Capital and Human Capital

Basis Physical Capital Human Capital
Characteristics It is tangible in nature and can easily be traded or sold in the open market like any other commodity. It is intangible in nature, built-in mind and body of the owner, and not salable in the market, only the attached services can be sold.
Ownership It can be separated from its owner. It cannot be separated from its owner.
Formation It can be built-in through imports from other areas. It can only be done through internal conscious ethical formation.
Benefits Its benefits are only to private individuals. Social benefit is done apart from private benefits
Mobility It is completely transportable between countries. It cannot be transferred because of restrictions of culture and nationalities.

Human Capital Formation

The process for increasing and acquiring the number of candidates who are best fitted according to their skills, educational qualification, and professional experience which is crucial for the political and economic development of the country.

G.M. Meier defines Human Capital Formation “human capital formation is the process of acquiring and increasing the number of persons who have education and experience which is essential for the economic and political development of a country”.

Sources of Human Capital Formation

Human Capital

One of the most important sources of Human Capital Formation is an investment done in education. There are many other sources like on-the-job training, investment in health, information, and migration are other sources of human capital formation. Let’s discuss the sources:

Expenditure on Education
The most effective way of enhancing and enlarging the productive workforce in the country is the expenditure done on strengthening the education system. It is considered the best source of human capital formation. The objective of nation and individuals behind investment in education

  • To increase the future income.
  • Creating manpower and generating their technical skills, which are well suited for improving labour productivity and thus resulting in sustainable rapid economic growth.
  • Controlling the population growth rate can be done by bringing down the birth rate. This results in more resources available per person.
  • Education can be floated to others, resulting in social benefits.

Expenditure on Health
Another important source of human capital formation is Health. A worker who is not well will certainly affect productivity. Various forms of health expenditures are, making available clean and safe drinking water, preventive and curative medicines, etc.

Migration
People migrate from their native place to another place to find better jobs in order to gain the advantage of location and earn higher salaries. Migration from a rural area to an urban area is prime most. Rural areas don’t have sectors to provide good employment, so people migrate, whereas technically qualified professionals migrate from one country to another.

On-the-job Training
To enhance labour productivity many organizations provide on-the-job training. This is another source of human capital which sometimes becomes very costly. Firms incur huge expenditures on giving on-the-job training. Various forms can be like, training under a skilled supervisor, off-campus training, or in-house training.

Expenditure on Information
Information related to the labour market and other markets like education, health can be attained by paying to acquire information. For example, information regarding salaries is available for different markets.

Example:

Question:
Which are the two types of Human Resource Capital?
Answer:
There are two types of Human Resource Capitals. They are:

  • Physical Capital: For the development and enhancement of physical assets such as buildings, bridges, factories, etc. all the inputs like tools, machinery, gadgets which are required are called Physical Capital.
  • Human Capital: Skillset, educational qualifications, subject knowledge, ability, and expertise in the human resource of a nation at a point in time is called Human Capital.