Australia will continue to collaborate with Indian businesses and education and training institutions to support India and Australia to build highly-skilled and well trained workforces, Minister for Skills and Jobs, Senator Chris Evans said today.
Addressing a forum hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry in New Delhi today, Senator Evans spoke of the value of partnerships between education and training providers, industry and government.
“There is enormous value in industry collaboration as our nations seek to build the high-skilled and well trained workforces we need to meet demand in our growing economies,” said Senator Evans.
“Both countries are looking at ways to ensure their training institutions have the capacity to build highly skilled workforces.
“We are keen to explore possibilities for collaboration between Australia and India and to share expertise and experiences.”
One way in which expertise and experiences can be shared is through the new bilateral Australia India Education Links website. The website is an information portal to support further education and training collaboration between Australian and Indian education and training institutions, business and industry.
A forum for facilitating linkages in the skills area is the Bureau for Vocational Education and Training Collaboration (BVETC), established by Australia and India in 2010. The BVETC meets regularly to consider collaboration proposals from the Vocational Education and Training sector and provide advice on the best ways to achieve successful partnerships in country.
The Confederation of Indian Industry is a non-government, not-for-profit industry association, and is very active in recommending policies on schooling, vocational training and higher education.
“The Confederation is very proactive in addressing the challenges of skill development, education and training,” Senator Evans said.
“Australia is investing heavily in skills and education and is keen to work with India as it establishes Sector Skills Councils.”
Senator Evans said members of the Australian delegation, including senior representatives from education and training providers, and business would benefit from the opportunity to collaborate with their Indian counterparts.