NSDC collaborates with ILO to enhance skill development and lifelong learning

National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), has collaborated with the International Labour Organization (ILO) to advance skill development and lifelong learning in India and globally. This collaboration aims to empower individuals by providing essential competencies and qualifications, thereby enhancing employability and fostering sustainable economic growth.

Mr. Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO and MD of NSDC International, and Mr. Sangheon Lee, Director of Employment Policy, Job Creation, and Livelihoods Department at ILO, signed the MoU, reaffirming both organizations’ dedication to leveraging their expertise in talent development.

This partnership aims to enhance skill development nationally and internationally through the development of effective policies, governance, and financing structures. A key aspect of this collaboration is the implementation of the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH), which will digitally transform skill development initiatives, improving their efficiency, accessibility, and global reach.

Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India, commended the partnership, stating, “We are pleased that a key aspect of our partnership is the adoption of the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) and Governments, workers’ and employers’ organizations in ILO’s member countries will be able to use SIDH to digitize systems, processes, skills delivery, and job matching, based on a cost-effective model.

This digital transformation will enhance the efficiency of skill development initiatives, making them more accessible and impactful globally. At MSDE, we are committed to creating policies and platforms that support lifelong learning and continuous skill development for our talent to succeed nationally and globally. SIDH exemplifies this commitment, and this partnership reflects our shared mission to empower individuals through skill development avenues, across borders.”

“By combining ILO’s expertise with our commitment to skilling, reskilling, and upskilling, we aim to empower individuals to navigate disruptions and create a sustainable future. Together, we will enhance skillsets and boost employability, driving impactful change in the evolving job market.” he further added.

The partnership aims to:

Foster public-private partnerships and knowledge exchange for Sector Skill Council (SSC) enhancement.
Develop micro-credentials and promote Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) via a global knowledge sharing platform.
Strengthen comparability of skills and qualifications to enhance mobility and global employability prospects for Indian workers.
Develop and deploy digital tools for assessing and comparing skills and qualifications of Indian workers with those needed in potential destination countries.

Mr. Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO, NSDC and MD, NSDC International said, “The MoU between ILO and NSDC is a significant milestone for Skills Ecosystem in India. This partnership will help build a pool of Indian youth for global opportunities as the partnership aims to align and benchmark Indian qualifications with global skills standards. India becoming a preferred destination for GCCs, opens opportunities for Indian youth to participate in remotely delivered knowledge work for the whole world.

Government’s focus on skilled migration opens opportunities for those who want to emigrate to join international workforce. We are also excited to work with ILO to develop regional qualification frameworks such as South Asian Qualification Framework which will help youth from our neighbouring countries also. NSDC’s partnership will also help offer NSDC Digital’s services and offerings to member countries of ILO.”

Speaking about the collaboration, Mr. Sangheon Lee, Director, Employment Policy, Job Creation and Livelihoods Department, ILO said, “We believe that by combining NSDC technological capacity and ILO standard setting functions, tripartism and global reach, we have the potential to significantly improve training access and quality globally. In this spirit, I am excited to embark on this new partnership with NSDC today. I expect this partnership will create a synergistic effect, amplifying our collective ability to lead the transformation of skills development, for greater social justice, not only in India, but globally.”

Promoting quality apprenticeships and work-based learning to enhance employability and productivity, and fostering the growth of sustainable enterprises will be fundamental to this collaboration. Through coordinated efforts in data-driven strategies, ILO and NSDC intend to synchronize skill development initiatives with the changing needs of diverse industries.

Also read: MSDE launches framework for development of trainers in the skilling ecosystem

Beyond policy formulation and data evaluation, the partnership will emphasize the creation and backing of inventive learning schemes. These initiatives will prioritize flexibility and inclusivity, nurturing adaptability among learners while guaranteeing that skills development remains pertinent and available to all societal sectors.