Australia & India team up on skills & training

New Delhi, Apr 7 (KNN) The Australian Government, represented by Australia’s Special Envoy for Trade, Andrew Robb on Wednesday announced the USD 5.4 million International Skills Training Courses initiative to extend Australia’s role in international education and training.

In this regard, Robb met with various industry and education sector leaders in India, including the Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, to promote and strengthen their cooperation in education and training, according to a release from the Australian High Commission in India. 

Robb was accompanied by Australia’s Education Ambassador to India, Adam Gilchrist and Minister for Tourism and International Education, Senator Richard Colbeck.

Commenting on the move, “The initiative will see the Australian Government collaborate with industry and the training sector to develop courses that address skill shortages within the global economy,” said Colbeck.

“The International Skills Training Courses initiative underpins our strong track record of delivering quality education to Indian students. In 2015 we welcomed over 53,000 Indian students, up 15.7 per cent on the previous year – the second highest of any nationality,” he added.

The initiative follows a six month pilot run by seven Australian training providers to upskill Trainers and Assessors in India. Large scale delivery of courses across India will commence with a consortium of three Australian training providers.

The International Skills Training Courses initiative will support Australian Registered Training Organisations to increase their offshore delivery of innovative training that meets global demands.

The skills relationship is underpinned by the Australia India Education Council Skills Working Group, who will conduct its 26th meeting in India to coincide with the visit and explore opportunities for further collaboration. 

Robb said that a number of new Memorandum of Understandings between Australian and Indian institutions will be signed during his visit.

“The Indian Government’s ‘Skill India’ initiative compliments Australia’s skills policy agenda. Like us, India requires training that fits the needs of their industry and economy, while also bridging the gap between educational institutions and the labour market.

“International education is one Australia’s top two services exports and innovation, skills and training are key elements of the wider strategy for economic growth, not only here but in India as well,” said Robb.

Applications for the new International Skills Training Courses will open in 2016. More information is available from the Department of Education and Training website. (KNN Bureau)