New Delhi, Aug 22 (KNN) Enhancing the cooperation between India and Germany for skill development in the country, a new 3-year bilateral programme on vocational education and skill development is being implemented jointly by the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and GIZ - a German Agency for International Cooperation.

In this regard, an Implementation Agreement has been signed between the two sides here today.

The agreement has been signed in the presence of German Ambassador to India Dr Martin Neyand and Secretary, MSDE, Rohit Nandan.

Addressing the gathering, Dr Neyand said the aim of the programme is to involve the private sector and entrepreneurs for defining the qualifications that are required and creating practical training at the work place.

The programme also envisages involving the private sector when it comes to examining the training.

The German Envoy said, “We will start with this programme in two clusters, first one being in Maharashtra with the automobile suppliers’ industry and the second one in Karnataka with the electronics industry. Later, we will take it potentially to other areas.”  

 “Germany is the second bilateral donor of economic operation in India with 1.5 billion euro along this year. India’s challenge as we all know is to draw in the young people into the labour force and for that young people need skilling,” he added.   

The MSDE Secretary, Nandan, said “We have developed the roadmap on how to implement the MoU. The MoU would be implemented by the year 2019.”

“We still have three years to go, but a lot of ground has already been covered. We are happy to sign this implementation agreement because this will concretize the entire process,” he added.

Nandan informed that India has formally adopted the German model of dual education.

Speaking on the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Germany, Secretary said it is a combination of process that started with the visit of the Prime Minister to Germany in early 2015.

“Skilling is at the top of the agenda for India. The Prime Minister felt that it is something where two countries can cooperate. Especially, knowing the fact that Germany is considered to be a model of training and vocational education all over the world,” he added. (KNN Bureau)