To discuss instilling of crucial vocational skills in Indian students and to put forward the ways to improve Indian education sector to make it more skill oriented, a symposium on ‘Augmenting Current Indian Education with Employability Skills- The Australian Way’ was organized today at P.P.Singhal Conference Hall, UCCI.

Professor S.S. Mantha, Chairman AICTE chaired the symposium.

Tom Calder, Australian Trade Commissioner and key-note speaker of the day talked about the Australian system of education, how it helps Australian students, country’s industry and its economy. He explained Australian VET system which is recognized by OECD, UNESCO and other international institutions.

He said that with the combined efforts of Indian and Australian governments, Australia is trying to engage with Indian educational setup through various ways such as setting up Oil Gas and Mining Institute, The Australian Retail College etc in India and also planning to engage with CBSE.

He added that registered institutes such as Australasian Academy of Mentoring and Coaching (AAMC) can equip students with job ready skills. “Because of AAMC’s acceptance and accreditation from organizations around the world, workers trained in Australian institutes can be placed at offshore directly”, he added.

Professor Mantha stated some interesting statistical facts about Indian education and highlighted AICTE’s work in the field to improve the sector. He talked about National Vocational Educational Qualification Framework (NVEQF) of 7 certification level of skills and Education which would give the flexibility and skillful training to the students.

Ravi Subraman in his introductory address stated the need of comprehensive reforms in educational sector. He said that India does not focus on vocational training, “just earning a degree doesn’t make one educated, students should be skillful and industry ready”.

He advocated that vocational courses must be taught in the universities and colleges. Australian vocational training is considered as the benchmark around the world and India should take benefit from that.

Dr. S.S. Gokhle, Director LNM Institute of Information Technology, Jaipur and H.K.Mehta Sr. Vice President (HR) at HZL put forward their views on the current situation and the changes required in the job market.