Ambassador’s Remarks at the 3rd International Congress on Vocational and Professional Education and Training, Winterthur, June 8, 2018
Good Morning Everybody,
I would like to start by placing on record my thanks for the invitation to attend the 3rd International Congress on Vocational and Professional Education and Training here today.
‘Skill India’ is one of the most important flagship projects of the Government of India today.
In his address to the nation on August 15, 2014, Prime Minister Modi said “Today, the world needs a skilled workforce. Today, India also needs a skilled workforce. ……….If we have to promote the development of our country then our mission has to be "skill development" and "skilled India". Millions and Millions of Indian youth should go for acquisition of skills and there should be a network across the country for this and not the archaic systems. They should acquire the skills which could contribute towards making India a modern country. Whenever they go to any country in the world, their skills must be appreciated”.
India is today the world’s fastest-growing large economy, with a growth rate of nearly 7.5%. It has a democratically mandated leadership striving to develop an economy driven by smart and sustainable cities, robust farm sector, vibrant manufacturing and dynamic service sector. And, its engines to run on world class network of rail, roads, airports and digital connectivity. The success of these programmes and projects depend on availability of skilled human resources. Skilled high-quality manpower are essential for India’s flagship programmes like digital India, Swachh Bharat, Make in India and Smart Cities. In fact, in a rapidly changing world, the required skill sets are very dynamic for industry, manufacturing and services sectors.
India today is fast approaching a demographic watershed, as one of the “youngest” countries in the world. India’s current global demographic profile represents a significant economic opportunity for India’s working-age population. Over 12 million youth between the ages of 15 and 29 are expected to enter India’s labour market every year for the next two decades. India’s demographic dividend could sustain the economic growth of ageing nations, while simultaneously boosting India’s global linkages.
India has some of the best technical institutes anywhere in the world such as its Indian Institute of Technologies and Indian Institute of Science. At the same time, skilling of its large workforce continues to be perhaps one of the major challenges that it faces today. The enormity of this challenge is aggravated by the fact that there is need for re-skilling to meet the requirements of new and emerging skill sets. There is need to train the trainers. There is also need to enhancing capacities and quality in vocational training or higher education while ensuring that its primary education system imparts quality education. These are challenges India is determined to address. India has the potential to be the human resources powerhouse of the world. It is a target India is determined to achieve.
In recent years government has taken several steps in skilling India. This include the "National Skill Development Mission", "National Policy for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, 2015", "Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)" and the "Skill Loan scheme". The National Skill Development Mission is targeting to train approximately 400 million people across the country by 2022.
India is engaging bilaterally with several countries on Skill Development including with Switzerland. Skill Development is an important aspect of India – Switzerland relations. It figured prominently in India – Switzerland Joint Statement issued in August 2017 during the State visit of Swiss President to India. In recent years, we have seen an increased engagement at many levels both government and private sector levels including by major companies and educational institutions.
This year we celebrate the 70th anniversary of signing of India – Switzerland Friendship Treaty. Today India and Switzerland maintain highest level of engagement at political, economic and people to people level. Skill Development and Capacity Building is among the priority areas that we have identified as part of our ‘Longstanding Dynamic Partnership’.
I am confident that this anniversary year we will continue to make progress in this important area of cooperation. Thank you.
