How TUV Rhineland is meeting India’s skilling needs with best practices from German VET

Support for entrepreneurship and employment

In all programs, we try to prepare trainees for getting qualified to become entrepreneurs and open their own business. It is an integral part of our training modules. For instance, for the Suryamitra project where we train people in the field of solar energy, a part of our training is also to enable students to become confidence in opening their own business. We also help them with linkages for financial support, legal aspects of starting up, applying for business license, interaction with business partners and execution of the contract.

Thus, we move beyond providing technical or theoretical understanding and practical knowledge on topics regarding solar energy, also help them launch as entrepreneurs.

We do absorb a large number of trainees in our companies. All of our employees were our former students (80% of them) and nearly all of our local employees in India were trained by us. We train people not only for our demand but we also for meeting the external demand.

Challenges in skill development

I’ve been in India for more than 2 years and I’m well acquainted with the issues surrounding skill development and young students. One of the biggest challenges is to convince them to join vocational courses and mobilise them to take up typical skilled-based training. We target students with low achievements or those who are dropouts and are keen on seeking another opportunity to learn, earn and grow.