The Business Bytes
NEW DELHI, MAY 28, 2024 (TBB BUREAU): In a significant move aimed at empowering individuals and fostering sustainable economic growth, the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) have forged a strategic partnership. The collaboration, announced today, is poised to advance skill development and lifelong learning not only in India but also on a global scale.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between NSDC and ILO reaffirms the commitment of both organizations to utilize their expertise in talent development for the greater good. At the heart of this partnership lies the ambition to enhance skill development policies, governance structures, and financing mechanisms, thereby bolstering employability and facilitating sustainable economic progress.
Key to this collaboration is the implementation of the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH), a transformative initiative aimed at digitizing skill development processes. This digital platform is set to streamline initiatives, making them more efficient, accessible, and impactful, not only domestically but also globally.
Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary of MSDE, highlighted the significance of the partnership, particularly emphasizing the adoption of SIDH. He underscored the transformative potential of digitalization in skill development, stating that it will facilitate lifelong learning and skill enhancement, ultimately empowering individuals to succeed both nationally and internationally.
The partnership aims to foster public-private partnerships and knowledge exchange to strengthen Sector Skill Councils (SSCs), develop micro-credentials, and promote Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) through a global knowledge-sharing platform. Furthermore, digital tools will be deployed to assess and compare the skills and qualifications of Indian workers with global standards, thereby enhancing their mobility and employability prospects.
Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO of NSDC, hailed the partnership as a significant milestone for India’s skills ecosystem. He emphasized the importance of aligning Indian qualifications with global standards, opening up opportunities for Indian youth on the global stage. Additionally, he expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with ILO to develop regional qualification frameworks, benefiting youth from neighbouring countries as well.
Sangheon Lee, Director at ILO, underscored the potential of the partnership to improve training access and quality globally. He emphasized the synergistic effect between NSDC’s technological capacity and ILO’s standard-setting functions, highlighting their collective ability to transform skills development for greater social justice.
The collaboration will prioritize quality apprenticeships, work-based learning, and sustainable enterprise development, alongside innovative learning programs designed to be flexible and inclusive. By aligning skill development initiatives with industry demands and leveraging data-driven approaches, NSDC and ILO aim to ensure that skills development remains relevant and accessible to all segments of society.
As NSDC and ILO embark on this journey of collaboration, the stage is set for a paradigm shift in global skill development, one that promises to empower individuals, foster economic growth, and drive social progress.
