New Delhi : “India is sitting on a huge growth potential. We see immense opportunities here,” said Shabnam Sinha, lead education specialist, World Bank, India.
An illustrious panel of experts spoke on the subject of ‘Overseas Opportunities for Skilled India’ at the first Mail Today ‘Skill and Entrepreneurship Summit’ on Thursday. When queried about the challenges in making India’s youth “industry ready” by moderator Rajeev Dubey, managing editor of India Today’s Business Group, the speakers said the country’s education system is yet to be modernized to that effect.
Rajesh Madiwale, business head, SKF India Ltd, Sweden, said, “The school and college curriculum here are still over 20 years old. It’s very theoretical. Most of the students have not seen a paper mill or a milk processing plant in their life, which limits their experiences.”
Amanda Day, counselor, Department of Education and Training, Australian High Commission, agreed, “Plus, development of leadership skills at every stage of learning in students is crucial.”
‘HUGE GROWTH POTENTIAL’
Shabnam Sinha, lead education specialist, World Bank, India, said she is very happy that the Indian government has created an entire ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship headed by Dharmendra Pradhan for this purpose.
“India is sitting on a huge growth potential. We (World Bank) see immense opportunities here,” she said. Quoting figures, Sinha said, at least 12 per cent of the global remittances come to India and 49 per cent of it comes from Indians working in the Gulf. “So that shows the kind of skills and services that Indian youth are providing worldwide.”
Australia’s Amanda Day said that her country’s population is only about 24.7 million, so there is a lot of scope for skilled workers from other countries to come and serve here. “We have a robust migration programme for that. The Australian sectors/industries where Indians can find jobs are in nursing, especially child and Geriatric care; mining, technical services and in agriculture,” she elaborated.
Sinha said they are working with the Indian Government to develop a national database of skilled youth who could be plugged into jobs anywhere in the world.
“For this, transnational standards of skills and their accreditation is also being formulated. This would help standardize work like, say, feeding and taking care of a baby.” “This would ensure the quality of work that can be measured,” she explained.
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