India, Iran partners for skill development

India's state-run National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) Sunday signed an agreement with Iran's Technical and Vocational Training Organisation (TVTO) to jointly collaborate in skill development.

"This is an exclusive initiative to enhance collaborations in skill development in both the countries and share working models and experiences," NSDC chief executive Dilip Chenoy said on the occasion here.

Set up in 2010 by the union finance ministry under public-private partnership, with 51 percent equity by the private sector and 49 percent stake of the central government, NSDC is mandated to impart skill to 150 million Indians by 2022.

Iranian deputy minister Kourosh Parand, who is leading an 11-member delegation here, signed the agreement and discussed skill partnership with Chenoy and other officials.

"Our partnership with India will focus on innovative approach to address skills shortage in both the countries, and explore long-term solutions for young people entering the workforce," Parand said.

Run as a not-for-profit firm, the corporation has 2,011 training centres in 335 districts across the country, with 136 training partners and 31 sector skill councils.

As part of the agreement, NSDC will support TVTO in setting up a vocational education and training system, conduct skill gap studies in various sectors and across geographies, setting up of sector-skills councils, creation of national occupational standards and launching of special projects.

"The sector skill councils will impart skill in construction, agriculture, handicraft, textiles, apparel, capital goods, automotive, IT-ITeS, healthcare, hydrocarbons, security, plumbing, electronics, mining, telecom, aviation and aerospace, food processing and hospitality," Chenoy said.

Affiliated to the ministry of cooperatives, labour and social welfare, TVTO was founded in 1980 by integrating three training organisations to implement training through public and private sectors across Iran.