HCC to assist in developing framework for training workforce in India
Apr 22, 2015
Houston Community College has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to explore opportunities to assist the nation of India in meeting its government mandate to train 150-plus million people by 2020.
“India is a classic example of what is happening not only in Houston and across the country, but in many nations,” said Dr. Cesar Maldonado, chancellor at HCC. “Well-trained, quality workers in the middle skills areas such as construction, manufacturing, energy, and health care are in short supply. HCC is well-suited to provide the education to fill those gaps.”
HCC Trustee Neeta Sane served as the facilitator in linking HCC, the government agency National Skills Development Corporation (NSDC) in India, and Cambridge Education Development to create a program that will train workers in her country of origin. HCC hosted the initial meeting this week to develop a framework for HCC to begin negotiations with India in exploring the opportunity to provide workforce training and educational opportunities including train the trainer, distance education, and curriculum development.
NSDC has developed the model for the skills initiative. They have identified over three dozen industry clusters in which skills development is needed. Many of those clusters are aligned with the new Centers of Excellence concept that is being deployed within the Houston Community College System.
“HCC is being considered for this partnership because we are known as the leader of workforce education. Our model was developed using standards that are mandated by international industries,” said Dr. Madeline Burillo, HCC associate vice chancellor of Workforce Instruction and Division of Extended Learning. “We already have industry- approved workforce education that can translate easily to their Academies of Excellence model.”
Over the next 10 years, Houston Community College would help educate some of the 50,000 trainers needed to educate future workers in India. Providing instruction to so many people is not possible through the traditional brick and mortar model, so online learning will be a major component of the learning. Once trained, employees of various government vocational colleges across India will go to even the most remote locations to train students.
HCC will provide expertise in leadership education programs in several of the areas defined by the government. The college will assist with curriculum development, teaching and learning resources development, occupational standards, testing and certification; labor marker information systems, etc. Articulated arrangements or joint programming will be developed, either on-site or through an e-learning platform.
“The goal of the program is for the trainers to be able to provide a robust education for millions of potential workers who can then contribute to a meaningful workforce that will bolster the economy of India and form partnerships to bring future opportunities to HCC and the Houston community,” said Dr. Maldonado.