admin Singapore and India are engaged in discussions to establish industrial training and skilling institutes in India, as part of their efforts to bolster skill development and education. This initiative stems from the strategic partnership between the two nations, with a particular focus on building a future-ready workforce. During a visit to Singapore in May, Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan met with his Singaporean counterpart, Finance Minister Lawrence Wong. The outcome of their meeting was an agreement to collaborate on opportunities for lifelong learning and making knowledge and skill development a central element of their strategic partnership.
Details on the Partnership
Singapore’s ITE Education Services (ITEES), which operates under the country’s education ministry, has already offered consultancy and training services in India. In 2022, in collaboration with the government of Assam, ITEES established the North East Skill Centre (NESC) in the state. This center aims to provide high-quality skills training, particularly for rural youth, focusing on sectors such as retail, beauty and wellness, housekeeping, hospitality, and food and beverage services.
India is keen to expand its collaboration with Singapore by bringing more industrial and skilling institutes into the country. This move is seen as a vital step in addressing India’s impending skilled workforce shortage, which could reach 29 million by 2030, according to the International Labour Organization.
Countering Challenges
The scarcity of high-skilled workers in India has become a widespread challenge, often resulting from the mismatch between the quality of vocational education and training (VET) and the expectations of employers. A report by the International Labour Organization in 2020 indicated that nearly two-thirds of Indian firms with over ten employees faced difficulties in finding qualified personnel.
India is also showing interest in Singapore’s successful model of integrating skilling into education, a topic that was discussed during Minister Pradhan’s meeting with Singaporean ministers in May. This approach has proven to be highly effective in preparing the workforce for the demands of the modern economy.
In summary, Singapore and India are actively working to enhance their collaboration in the realm of skill development and education, with a focus on creating a future-ready workforce and addressing India’s looming skilled labor shortage. These efforts are set to strengthen the ties between the two nations and provide significant benefits for both countries.
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