India and Africa exchange knowledge in a workshop organized by Skill India and World Bank

As a part of India Africa Knowledge Exchange Mission, the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and World Bank organized a five-day workshop from 31st October 2017 for African delegation from six African countries: Rwanda, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Senegal, Tanzania, and Ghana. The focus of this workshop is to share knowledge and experience in capacity building and skill development. The workshop marked the conclusion of a conference on Partnership for Skills in the Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET) organized in April this year in Nairobi, Kenya.

Objectives of the knowledge exchange workshop

• Identify the challenges of skills development in the informal sector and discuss strategies for enhancing workforce productivity while deliberating upon TVET and its delivery models in India and Africa
• Study innovative models of employer-led skilling strategies for enhancing industry competitiveness
• Study the role of the federal and state governments and key institutional reforms for successful delivery of skills training
• Discuss the longer formal training systems under TVET and its delivery models

The African countries that participated in the PASET Forum requested for support and knowledge exchange for African countries with India in the area of skills development (SD) and vocational education. The workshop includes discussions with Indian counterparts at the national level and field visits to two states, Maharashtra and Rajasthan.

The workshop is being attended by key ministers from India and Africa namely, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon’ble Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Minister of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship; Hon’ble Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, Deputy Minister of Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET)/Secondary Education, Government of Ghana; Hon’ble Professor Mary Teuw Niane, Minister of Higher Education and Research, Republic of Senegal; Hon’ble Mr. Olivier Rwamukwaya, Minister of State, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Government of Rwanda; Hon’ble H.E. Mr. Teshome Lemma, State Minister for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Government of Ethiopia; Hon’ble Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, Minister of State and Executive Secretary, National Universitites Commission, Nigeria and Dr. Leonard Akwilapo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Government of Tanzania.

The five day workshop will have techincal sessions around Short Term and long term Skill Development system in India, Skills Qualifications Development and Certification, Skill Development and Challenges in African Countries- Expectation from India, Skills Development and Economic Growth, India – Africa Collaboration on Skill Development – areas and opportunities, Public Private Partnership in Skill Development and role of Sector Skills Councils etc.

Welcoming the ministers, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon’ble Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Minister of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship at the Knowledge Sharing Workshop said, “I welcome delegations from African countries. India and Africa share very good relations for ages. Both India and Africa have potential to address the global skilled resources shortages. As our honorable Shri Narendra Modi has said that Future is for India and Africa to build together.”

Shri Pradhan further said, “The dialogue initiated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at the 3^rd India Africa Forum Summit is now being continued through this India Africa Knowledge exchange mission with skill development as one of the main agenda.”

“Africa has become one of the fastest growing regions in the world. The needs of African nations are divergent and their strengths varied. India’s focus over the last few decades has largely been on capacity building in the African continent. We aim to enhance our strategic ties for development of youth in the skill development and vocational training sector,” Shri Dharmendra Pradhan further added.

Annette Dixon, Vice President for World Bank’s South Asia region said, “This knowledge exchange workshop is an important beginning. We are confident that it will help forge a strong partnership between India and the six African countries keen to learn from India’s experience in skills development and vocational training – as it strides to implement one of world’s largest skills programs.”

On the occasion, Dr. K. P. Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship said, “Africa needs skills development program for better quality workforce.”

Drawing parallel with Africa, he said “In India too, demand for skilled labour is very high and it is going to be even higher. We have to skill 10 to 12 million youth every year which is a very high number. A few areas where India can help African nations in skill building are quality assurance, catalyzing private sector investment in skill development, capacity building and strengthening of institutions involved in long term VET.”

(This article is based on a press release from MSDE, Government of India)