UKIBC-led delegation to explore skills sector in India

Seeking partnership opportunities in India's huge education and skills sectors, British experts will visit India next week to form effective partnerships with Indian organisations and increase their capacity.

A UK India Business Council (UKIBC)-led delegation will attend the annual Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) Skills Summit in India's national capital next Wednesday, where they will interact with FICCI members on these aspects.

The English language training market is thought of as highly transferable to India and skills providers in the UK believe they could form effective partnerships with Indian organisations.

The vocational education stream in India is quite ineffective, as enrollment of students is less than three per cent at the upper secondary level, the World Bank report on Skills Development in India said in 2006.

 

The Indian Government is planning to increase enrollment in the vocational education system to about 25 per cent of total secondary enrollment, it said.

UKIBC CEO Sharon Bamford has said the Council is "pleased to participate in the Skills Summit in India".

"The UK is a world leader in vocational skills provision and hopes to share its expertise with the Indian market," she said, adding that the UK skills sector can play a big role in "supporting India's growth".

Addressing UKIBC members, India's Industrial Secretary Ajay Shankar, said "Skills development, investment and expertise from the UK are most welcome, particularly in Public Private Partnership and the Prime Contractor Model."

Meanwhile, Roy Newey, who will lead the delegation to India said the skills providers in the UK recognise the enormous potential of the sector in India.

"The delegation will enable us to meet with Indian partner organisations so that we can work together to equip India with the skills she needs for future prosperity and growth," Newey, also a UKIBC Director, said.