Ausralia's industry skills council SkillsDMC has signed an agreement with India's National Skills Development Corporation(NSDC) to impart training to 500 million people in key industry areas by 2022. SkillsDMC has signed an MoU with Indian counterpart NSDC to support the establishment of the Indian Sector Skills Council for mining. SkillsDMC in an official statement said, it will also provide for ongoing cooperation between the two sides.

The MoU was signed last week in presence of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and his Australian counterpart Julia Gillard during her visit to India. The statement said, India has set an ambitious target to provide skills training for up to 500 million people by 2022 to enhance productivity, employment opportunities and income. During the meeting between Dr Singh and Ms Gillard, both noted the vital role played by the expanding bilateral education and training relationship and its contribution to national goals for innovation, productivity and growth.

They commended the work of the Australia-India Education Council (AIEC) in providing strategic guidance to advance education, training and research partnerships.

Under the AIEC, Australia and India agreed to build partnerships between India's Sector Skills Councils and Australia's Industry Skills Councils in key industry areas. SkillsDMC Chairman Ray Barker said, Australia has excelled in developing methodologies that shape industry relevant skills frameworks for a strong vocational education and training system through extensive consultation with industry.