Australia’s industry skills council SkillsDMC has signed an agreement with India’s NSDC to impart training to 500 million people in key industry areas by 2022.

SkillsDMC has signed an MoU with Indian counterpart National Skills Development Corporation (NSDC) to support the establishment of the Indian Sector Skills Council for mining.

It will also provide for ongoing cooperation between the two sides, SkillsDMC said in an official statement.

The MoU was signed last week in the presence of the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Australian counterpart Julia Gillard during her visit to India.

India has set an ambitious target to provide skills training for up to 500 million people by 2022 to enhance productivity, employment opportunities and income, the statement said.

The Prime Ministers noted the vital role played by the expanding bilateral education and training relationship and its contribution to national goals for innovation, productivity and growth, it said.

They commended the work of the Australia-India Education Council (AIEC) in providing strategic guidance to advance education, training and research partnerships.

Under the AIEC, Australia and India agreed to build partnerships between India’s Sector Skills Councils and Australia’s Industry Skills Councils in key industry areas.

“Australia has excelled in developing methodologies that shape industry relevant skills frameworks for a strong vocational education and training system through extensive consultation with industry.

“We are proud to provide support to our Indian colleagues in building skilled and productive workforces through collaboration between the two countries,” SkillsDMC Chairman Ray Barker said.

“This MoU is recognition of Australia’s well-established VET system and the important role of industry as a driver for ensuring quality outcomes from that system.

“We are looking forward to working with the Indian Sector Skills Council for mining to develop its skills training system,” Barker said.

The key points outlined in the MoU include SkillDMC providing support to its Indian Sector Skills Council counterpart in the areas of creation of competency standards, processes for affiliation of training partners, assessment, certification, stakeholder engagement and collaboration will commence with the 18-month project as specified in the MoU.

“Australia has one of the best VET and skills training frameworks in the world. As the Industry Skills Council for the Australian Resources and Infrastructure Industry, SkillsDMC is happy to be able to share our knowledge and processes with our SCC counterparts in India,” SkillsDMC CEO Steve McDonald said.

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