This report summarises the research on bilateral skills engagement between Australia and India, conducted by the Australia India Institute for the Commonwealth Department of Education and Training. Its key research findings include: (1) India's skills system has significant diversity in vocational training, trainee assessment and certification across central and state/UT government institutions and private sector providers. The Government of India's ambitious agenda for reforming the skills sector includes establishing a coherent framework for skills development and expansion of programs...  [+] Show more

This report summarises the research on bilateral skills engagement between Australia and India, conducted by the Australia India Institute for the Commonwealth Department of Education and Training. Its key research findings include: (1) India's skills system has significant diversity in vocational training, trainee assessment and certification across central and state/UT government institutions and private sector providers. The Government of India's ambitious agenda for reforming the skills sector includes establishing a coherent framework for skills development and expansion of programs in industry sectors with high demand for skilled workers. (2) The Indian government invites participation of foreign skill providers in emerging industries and niche industry sectors where Indian skill providers lack training capacity; i.e., it invites foreign skill providers to complement, rather than duplicate or replace, the programs offered by Indian skill providers. The preferred industry sectors for foreign skill provider participation include aviation, mining, ports, smart city infrastructure, agricultural technology, and allied health services. Central and state/UT government representatives are also keen for foreign skill providers to offer skills training and orientation that enable international migration pathways for Indian nationals. (3) Australia's vocational education and training (VET) system is well-regarded in India for its breadth of coverage across multiple industry sectors. It is particularly admired for its model of training and apprenticeship combining off- and on-the-job training over an extended period, and industry involvement. (4) Australian registered training organisations (RTOs) have substantial market opportunities to collaborate with Indian government agencies, Industrial Training Institutes (ITI), and other Indian skill providers for building capacity and adding value in areas where they hold special expertise. This includes professional development for trainers, assessors, institutional leaders and professional staff.

Edited excerpts from publication.