India and Germany Strengthen Ties in Skill Development and Workforce Mobility

New Delhi: The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) in India recently played host to a high-profile delegation from Germany led by Ms. Leonie Gebers, the State Secretary of the German Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS). The primary objective of the dialogue was to explore avenues for enhanced cooperation between the two nations in the critical areas of skill development and to facilitate the smooth movement of skilled labor from India to Germany.

The Indian delegation, headed by Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary of MSDE, comprised key officials such as Ms. Trishaljit Sethi, Additional Secretary, Director General of Training (DGT); Ms. Sonal Mishra, Joint Secretary, MSDE; Shri Ved Mani Tiwari, Officiating CEO, NSDC; and Ms. Vinita Aggarwal, Executive Member, NCVET, among others. The German delegation included Ms. Viktoria Holm, Personal Assistant to State Secretary Leonie Gebers, BMAS; Ms. Gunilla Fincke, Director-General, Skills, Vocational Training and Securing a Skilled Labour Force, BMAS; and several other prominent representatives.

The heart of the dialogue focused on leveraging India’s skilled workforce to address workforce shortages in Germany. A key highlight was the discussion on Germany’s new immigration law, adopted by the Bundestag in June of the previous year and scheduled to take effect this year. The law outlines three clear pathways for skilled migration: qualification-based, experience-based, and potential-based, formalized through the EU Blue Card, Experience Card, and Opportunity Card, respectively.

Commending the efforts of BMAS in formulating this progressive migration law, the Indian delegation provided valuable suggestions aimed at further enhancing the mobility of skilled Indian workers to Germany. These recommendations included mapping sectors with high employment potential, mutual recognition of qualifications, the formulation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) or an implementation framework for the Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement (MMPA), establishment of a Skill India International center focusing on Germany’s workforce requirements, collaborative projects supporting women in contemporary job roles, and mentorship support for entrepreneurs.

Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari emphasized the significance of the India-Germany partnership, citing mutual respect and strong cultural ties that have evolved into a vibrant strategic collaboration across various sectors. He underscored the active preparation of Indian candidates for global mobility, with Germany being a primary focus for the Ministry. The dialogue, he stated, would pave the way for new pathways and further strengthen the partnership between the two nations.

The ongoing collaboration between India and Germany, as evidenced by their joint working group meetings, lays a robust foundation for future engagements. The dialogue’s outcomes are expected to foster fruitful collaborations, addressing workforce needs and promoting shared goals in the realms of skill development and entrepreneurship.