The engagement in the Skills sector has cut across many stakeholders

Mr. Dilip Chenoy is the MD & CEO of National Skill Development Corporation.

Harnath Sithamraju:  How will the Indian Skill developments Industry benefit from participating in this event?

Dilip Chenoy: Australia has a very well developed skill industry and India is evolving a system where we are asking the employers to lead the industry in setting up the skill development initiatives. In 4 specific areas we are looking at taking best practices from Australia to implement in India.

First is the overall qualification framework and implementing in India.

Getting the experience of the industry to lead the engagement through the industry Skills Councils in Australia to be able to understand and employ engagement, competency based standards, assessments and certifications and to get the levels of education and skills training in India on par with Australia and World standards.

Australia has significant experience in expanding skills in vocational training, so we would like Australian Skill providers to come and explore the Indian market either through a Joint Venture or setting up programmes in Australia.

Australia use the skills One TV and the National Skills week and participation in the world skills competition to actually transform the whole image of vocational training in Australia and this is also where we wish to participate with Australia and partner with Australia going forward.

HS: How “ Skill Development through Partnership” may happen between India and Australia

DC: The model for Australia-India cooperation is at four different levels. It is cooperation between Industry Skills Councils, Media and Entertainment, Retail and Healthcare sectors with corresponding Skills Councils in India. We have some people in Sydney working with Indian Training providers and new opportunities are emerging.For example Gloria Jeans Coffee have taken their TAFE training provider to train people whom they will employ in India as they expand.

HS: How do you propose the development and support for Sector Skill Council?

DC: The first step we identified is four skill councils and the mining council has been identified as the fifth. The Head of the Indian Skill sector visited Sydney on 11-12 July 2013 for a meeting with corresponding Skill sector councils in Australia and after that meeting we have developed learnings and qualifications on the National Occupation Standards. Now the Indian Partners will be visiting Australia in November 27-28 2013 during which time 80% of the entry level jobs, standards would be set for these sectors.Mining sector has been formally approved and Sports sector is yet to be approved by NSDC.

HS:What type of collaboration and business opportunities you would be exploring between India and Australia. Do you have any plans to expand relations in Australia?

DC: Last year when we were here 7 MOUs were signed with Australian counterparts. When the Premier of NSW visited India he signed an MOU with ACPET, which is a Private sector training provider. We have the Industry sector Councils and organisations like Skills One and World Skills Australia looking to work with NSDC going forward.

HS: What kind of initiatives/collaboration with different stakeholders do you think can further enhance the Australia-India engagement in the Skills Sector?

DC: The engagement in the Skills sector has cut across many stakeholders. First is the Australia-India Education Council, where we have the Governments involved and the AICTE and UGC in India. Second is the whole qualification and Certification framework between the entities in Australia and India. Third is between Vocational Training providers in Australia and India. Fourth is with Secondary School system in India. During my visit on 7th July 2010  we started interaction with NCBAR, an Australian Research body with whom we are trying to develop ways of how to look at Regulatory and Management issue.