India looking to partner 30 nations to supply skilled workforce

The government is drawing up a skilling upgrade plan which includes partnering with 30 countries in need of skilled workforce, with a focus on specific sector requirements, as part of its multi-pronged strategy to train and supply skilled Indian workers across the globe.

The plan envisages skilling courses, international certification, pre-departure orientation training, soft skills, multi-cultural training and other support for overseas mobility through the 30-odd Skill India international Centres (SIICs) being set up across the country, a senior government official told ET.

The key countries identified for supplying skilled Indian workers include the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, Japan, Sweden and Finland. The initial mapping of workforce requirements across 16 countries showed demand for 3.7 million trained workers from India over the next five years.

The skills development ministry is also working jointly with the external affairs ministry for inclusion of skilling agenda in various migration and mobility bilateral agreements. These agreements include mobility of young professionals, apprenticeships, students and also their family members.