PA/19/14 25 June 2014
AUSTRALIAN EXPERTS AND INDIAN COMMUNITY COLLEGES CHART A COURSE FOR THE FUTURE
Some of Australia’s leading vocational training experts are in India conducting a high level workshop with 40 Indian community college leaders.
The community college leaders will get intensive mentoring from specialists and senior leaders from TAFE Directors Australia – the peak national body representing Australia’s government-owned Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutes.
The three-day Vocational Education Leadership Training (VELT) workshop is aimed at building the leadership and organisational capacity of Indian vocational training institutions.
It will focus on all aspects of developing vocational education and training – including governance, building partnerships, engagement with industry and teaching.
“India recognises that it is absolutely crucial to deliver high quality vocational education and training in order to reap the benefits of its demographic dividend,” said Australia’s High Commissioner to India, Patrick Suckling.
“India’s decision to introduce a new Community College model is an important step towards meeting this challenge. Australia is pleased that it can play a role by providing world class expertise in vocational education, and by building partnerships between Australian and Indian institutions.”
“Skill development is one of the priorities of the Government of India during its twelfth Five Year Plan. The scheme of Community Colleges has been launched to bridge the skill gap and create a pool of trained manpower which is work ready,” UGC Chairman Professor Ved Prakash said.
In addition to this week’s workshop, the VELT project includes a one week professional development placement for up to 10 Community College leaders in Australian TAFEs. Two UGC representatives will also participate in the Australia visit. It will conclude with a follow-up mentoring session in India this December.
For more information please contact Vartika Sethi – [email protected]