UK and India Strengthen Vocational Skills Collaboration with Landmark MOU
On Monday, 17th March 2025, the UK Skills Partnership (UKSP) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) formalised a significant agreement by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) focused on industry-based skills development, training, and workforce enhancement. The signing ceremony took place during the Department for Business and Trade‘s Skills and Chartered Bodies Trade Mission to India, underscoring the commitment to fostering international collaboration in vocational education and training (TVET) and workforce development.
This groundbreaking partnership aims to create collaborative opportunities for UK skills and training providers, facilitated by UKSP, to work directly with Indian companies through the CII network. The MOU outlines ambitious goals, encompassing all elements of the UK’s skills development approach:
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Sharing Expertise and Best Practices: The partnership will promote knowledge exchange on TVET quality, employer engagement, and aligning training programmes with industry needs. It also seeks to develop employer-led apprenticeships and other programmes to address skill shortages in key sectors.
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Capacity Building for Educators and Institutions: The collaboration will enhance the skills of TVET trainers, assessors, teachers, and students by improving institutional leadership, governance, teacher training, and curriculum development.
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Sustainable Partnership Activities: The agreement will explore financially sustainable initiatives linking TVET institutions, training bodies, businesses, and industry players in both the UK and India.
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Industry-Relevant Qualifications and Training: The partnership will focus on developing and delivering qualifications and training programmes, including micro-credentialing systems that meet industry standards and demands.
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Assessment and Accreditation: The partnership will ensure assessment and accreditation processes align with international standards, prioritising key industries to enhance the quality and recognition of vocational skills globally.
India’s Vocational Skills Landscape
India’s vocational education and training sector is a critical component of its economic growth strategy. According to the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), India aims to train 500 million people under the Skill India Mission. As of 2024, over 120 million individuals have undergone skill development programmes, with significant emphasis on sectors like manufacturing, construction, and information technology.
However, challenges remain. The World Economic Forum reports that while India’s working-age population is among the largest globally, only 2.3% of the workforce has received formal vocational training—compared to 68% in Germany and 52% in the UK. The partnership between UKSP and CII directly addresses this gap by aligning India’s vocational training standards with global best practices.
Policy Framework and International Cooperation
India’s National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) and the UK’s Skills for Jobs White Paper (2021) both emphasise the importance of industry-aligned skills development and lifelong learning. The MOU echoes these policy goals by prioritising industry needs and sustainable workforce development.
By fostering this collaboration, the UK and India aim to create a skilled workforce that can meet the evolving demands of global industries. This partnership not only strengthens bilateral relations but also enhances India’s capability to achieve its skill development targets while providing UK training providers with access to a rapidly growing market.
For example, the manufacturing sector in India has benefited immensely from UK expertise in advanced manufacturing skills. Companies that engaged in joint training programmes noted reduced production downtime and enhanced technological adoption, leading to better market competitiveness.
The services sector, particularly IT and healthcare, has also seen substantial benefits. Training programmes focusing on digital skills and healthcare technologies have enabled Indian companies to expand their services globally, creating high-value jobs and supporting India’s economic growth.
Recent Successes in UK-India Skills Collaboration
Over the past few years, the UK and India have made significant strides in vocational skills and training cooperation. Since 2021, several initiatives have demonstrated the power of this bilateral partnership in building human capital and supporting business growth:
- In 2022, UK skills and training providers focused on healthcare, digital skills, and manufacturing sectors. The initiative successfully trained over 30,000 professionals in advanced manufacturing techniques, with UK experts providing technical guidance and curriculum development support.
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The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) in India, in partnership with UK training providers, launched sector-specific skill programmes for the IT and renewable energy sectors. These programmes have helped bridge the skills gap in high-demand sectors, enhancing employability and boosting industry growth.
These initiatives highlight how targeted skills development can enhance business competitiveness by creating a more skilled and adaptable workforce. Businesses involved in these programmes have reported increased productivity, improved quality standards, and enhanced innovation capabilities, which are key factors in maintaining global competitiveness.
