| | APRIL 20268The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) has entered into a Plan of Implemen-tation agreement with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to enhance skill development within India's shipbuilding and marine industry, representing a significant milestone in the advancement of maritime capabilities.The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways issued an official statement, announcing that the re-cently signed agreement is intended to promote the growth of a competent workforce and establish ship-building as a pivotal contributor to India's economic advancement within the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.It states, "Aligned with the ambitious goals out-lined under the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, the project titled `Support the Establishment of Develop-ment Strategies and to Build a Foundation for Skilled and Professional Talents for the Indian Shipbuilding and Marine Sector' aims to position shipbuilding as a strategically vital sector for India's economic growth and global maritime standing".KOICA, in collaboration with the Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training and various other stakeholders, will conduct comprehen-sive research on the shipbuilding and marine engi-neering sectors in India.The project will involve analyzing the workforce, assessing gaps in skills, and developing a detailed plan for human resource development.The collaboration, according to Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, represents a significant ad-vancement in the development of a highly competi-tive shipbuilding industry in India."This partnership marks a defining moment in In-dia's maritime journey, as we move towards building a future-ready, globally competitive shipbuilding eco-system", Sonowal says.He further commented that the endeavor is in ac-cordance with the objective of converting India's mari-time industry into a significant driver of both econom-ic prosperity and strategic advantage."This collaboration is about creating a robust foun-dation for a new generation of highly skilled, techno-logically empowered maritime professionals who will power India's rise as a global shipbuilding hub", he says.As a component of the initiative, a series of du-al-country workshops are set to be conducted in India and the Republic of Korea. These workshops aim to unite influential figures in various sectors, including business, government, and academia, to exchange suc-cessful strategies and enhance collaboration.The partnership is anticipated to bolster organiza-tional capabilities, enhance the skills of employees, and facilitate the development of customized training programs aligned with the requirements of the indus-try.Discussions are currently taking place at a high-ly progressed stage regarding the establishment of a 'Shipbuilding Workforce Development and Technolo-gy Cooperation Center' in India. The intended center will have a specific emphasis on delivering vocational training tailored to the industry, enhancing technical skills, and increasing overall productivity within the sector.The program is anticipated to have a significant impact in enhancing India's shipbuilding and marine industry by utilizing South Korea's advanced technol-ogy and extensive experience. INDIA, SOUTH KOREA TO BOOST SKILL DEVELOPMENT IN SHIPBUILDINGIN FOCUS
< Page 7 | Page 9 >