THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : The Kerala Academy for Skills Excellence (KASE), under the Labour Department, and Senior Experten Service (SES), Germany, have signed an MoU as part of skill development programme for youth forging partnerships with leading German companies FESTO, Siemens and TUV Rheinland.
The MoU was signed by KASE Managing Director Rahul R and SES Project Coordinator, Asia, Ulrike Puetz, in the presence of Labour Minister Shibu Baby John and the German Consulate General in Bengaluru, Jorn Rohde.Inaugurating the function, Shibu Baby John said the signing of the MoU signalled improved cooperation and strong bonding between India and Germany. ‘’This MoU is a defining moment in the Kerala Government’s quest for skill development,’’ the Minister said.
He said Kerala’s socio-economic factors were well suited to the German companies in providing training of global standards to the youth. He recollected that his visit to Munich three years back to study the skill development sectors was an eye-opener and added that he had to discard his earlier concepts about skill development.KASE, the apex body under the Government of Kerala for facilitating and coordinating skill development initiatives in the state, will collaborate with SES and some other global industrial giants of Germany to raise technical skills in the state to an international level as part of its International Skill Training and Employability Scheme (iSTEP).
He said the government is planning to transform at least a couple of Industrial Training Institutes into global standards. He said once the 75 government ITIs transform into major skill development centres, over 400 private ITIs will also follow suit.Jorn Rohde, the chief guest at the function, said signing of the MoU between KASE and SES would help Keralites solve the disconnect between the theories they studied in schools and industrial reality. He also noted that skills development would be an important topic when German Chancellor Angela Merkel visits India in October.
“The challenge is to empower youth, which is one of the biggest treasures of India, and make them fit for a labour economy,’’ he said.
The MoU signing ceremony was followed by thematic presentations on TUV Rheinland, Siemens and FESTO. TUV Rheinland Vice-President Timothy Miller, FESTO National Sales Manager Harish Nachnani and Siemens Senior Director Bhaskar Prasad made the presentations.Labour and Skills Principal Secretary Tom Jose presided.