New Delhi: National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET), under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), has officially recognized the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe) as a Dual Awarding Body. The agreement was formalized in the presence of Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary of MSDE and Chairperson of NCVET.
This recognition positions IN-SPACe to standardize and accredit specialized training programs in the space domain, aligning them with national and global skill frameworks. The initiative seeks to integrate these programs with India’s Skill India Mission, thereby fostering a skilled workforce capable of meeting industry demands.
NCVET, which oversees the regulation and quality of vocational training in India, has approved six National Occupational Standards (NoS) submitted by IN-SPACe. These include:
- Essentials of Space Technology in Agriculture Sector
- Fundamentals of Orbital Mechanics, Attitude Dynamics, and Space-Based Navigation
- Foundations of Mission Design and Avionics Development for Launch Vehicles
- Essentials of Satellite Manufacturing
- Essentials of Space Data Products and Services
- Introduction to Advances in Propulsion Systems for Launch Vehicles, Satellites, and Landing Missions
These programs are expected to cater to cutting-edge areas such as satellite manufacturing, mission design, space technology applications in agriculture, and advanced propulsion systems.
Speaking on the occasion, Atul Kumar Tiwari emphasized the importance of skilling for the rapidly expanding space sector. “India’s space exploration is scaling new heights, and with private sector participation on the rise, we must ensure our workforce adheres to global standards. This collaboration with IN-SPACe will drive innovation, foster competitiveness, and prepare our workforce for future challenges,” he said.
He also highlighted the Ministry’s existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), under which the ISRO Technical Training Program is operational in National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) in Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Trivandrum. The program has already upskilled over 4,000 technical employees from the Department of Space.
Dr. Vinod Kumar, Director of the Promotion Directorate at IN-SPACe, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration. “This recognition underscores our commitment to equipping India’s talent with the skills required to drive the nation’s ambitious space goals. By tailoring our training programs to meet industry needs, we are preparing learners to excel globally,” he said.
This partnership between NCVET and IN-SPACe represents a crucial step in advancing India’s space aspirations. With a skilled and competent workforce, India is poised to achieve new milestones in space exploration and maintain its global leadership in the sector.