International training partnership announced

21 May 2010

Kangan Institute strengthened educational ties with India last week when Minister for Education Bronwyn Pike witnessed the signing of a new partnership with the Government of Maharashtra.

Minister for Education for the Indian State of Maharashtra, the Honourable Rajesh Tope and a delegation visited Melbourne last week to sign the agreement which forms an integral part of the Indian government's Skills Mission 2022 initiative.

Kangan Institute's CEO Mr Ray Griffiths said the agreement is an important step in building better educational links with international partners.

"This new partnership will see Kangan Institute deliver a range of training and assessment services to the Maharashtra government over the coming years," he said.

"The Maharashtra government's Skills Mission 2022 program has been established to skill up to 50 million people, representing many opportunities for Kangan Institute to contribute to a skilled workforce.

"As a public provider working in a world-renowned training system, we are always excited to share our knowledge and experience of the Victorian vocational education sector."

Ms Pike said that the agreement will provide a framework for future negotiations across all areas of education including vocational education and training and higher education.

"Victoria has a world-class education system with much to offer India's students and India's rapidly expanding education sector at a time when the Government of India and India's State Governments are working to address drastic skills shortages," she said.

"The Brumby Labor Government is very supportive of Victoria's world-class education institutions developing new partnerships and initiatives, including research collaborations for mutual benefit, with India's institutions."

The training agreement will see Kangan Institute deliver a range of training services such as English language training, qualifications recognition, teacher training and professional development.