(ANS – Mumbai) – After the successful completion of the three-month Vocational Education and Training (VET) programme, the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce, Pune in collaboration with Don Bosco Private Industrial Technical Training Institute, Chinchwad, launched its first one-year VETnet programme on Tuesday, December 1.

By Br Sheldon Dias, SDB

The event was attended by dignitaries from the German government and representative companies from India and Germany. The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and supported by the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK).  

The welcome note was delivered by Dr Sabine Donauer from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), followed by introductory welcome messages by Peter Deubet, Deputy Director General, Indo-German Chamber of Commerce and Fr Corlis Gonsalves the Director of Don Bosco Private Industrial Technical Training Institute. They highlighted the role played by IGCC, Don Bosco and the German Government in promoting vocational education and training among Indian students.

Father Savio Silveira, Vice-Provincial of the Mumbai Province, then elaborated on the history of Don Bosco training institutes from Italy to around the globe, as one of the leaders in vocational education and training. Frank Hoffman, Senior Manager, Indo-German Chamber of Commerce, Pune briefed the audience about the VETnet project.

Then followed a panel discussion on the topic `Skill India to Make in India` with company heads of three participating companies - Mubea India, Bharat Forge and Schmersal.

The Dual Vocational System of Germany is a model for several countries. It has helped Germany maintain a low youth unemployment rate, has secured a supply of skilled labour to its companies and has thereby increased the competitiveness of Germany’s economy. To ensure a high quality of this Vocational Training and Education (VET), the Chambers of Commerce act as an independent and neutral coordinator between companies, training institutes and other stakeholders. In India the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce aims to implement the key elements of the German Dual Vocational Education and Training System.

Similar vocational training projects are being implemented by the German chambers of commerce in Brazil, China, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Portugal, Russia, Slovakia, Spain and Thailand.

Published 16/12/2015