Ministry of Skill Development and IIT Kanpur forge historic collaborations for skill development
In a groundbreaking initiative, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship witnesses the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between IIT Kanpur, Indian Institute of Skills (IIS) Kanpur, HAL, and Dassault Aircraft Services India. The collaboration aims to revolutionize skill development and empower India’s youth, focusing on aerospace, aviation, and defense sectors, particularly in the UP Defense Industrial Corridor.
In a significant stride towards shaping the future of skill development and empowerment in India, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship took a monumental step as Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, presided over the exchange of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between key players in the field of education, skilling, and industry.
For the first time ever, an educational institution, a skilling institution, and industry leaders are joining forces to synergize their efforts in certifying and future-proofing India’s youth. This historic collaboration, aligned with the objectives of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, is set to empower and prepare local youth for careers in the aerospace and defense sectors, particularly to support the UP Defense Industrial Corridor in Uttar Pradesh.
The three pivotal partnerships unveiled on this occasion are between the Indian Institute of Skills (IIS) Kanpur, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and Dassault Aircraft Services India (DASI). These alliances aim to revolutionize the holistic development of youth, especially those in Uttar Pradesh, by providing access to high-quality courses in the aviation and defense sectors.
This groundbreaking collaboration is a remarkable realization of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s vision, which emphasizes the integration of education, skilling, and leading industries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to establish Indian Institutes of Skills (IIS) across the country is being actively pursued, with a focus on enhancing training standards in the current skill ecosystem.
Dharmendra Pradhan, in his address, hailed the collaboration as a significant chapter in shaping the future of skill development and empowering India’s youth. He highlighted that this unique partnership is a gift to the youth and workforce of India, which will harness the potential emerging from UP’s defense corridor and create fresh opportunities for skilling, up-skilling, employment, and entrepreneurship in the aerospace, aviation, and defense sectors.
Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, MSDE, also expressed the importance of this day in India’s development. With the exchange of three MoUs for IIS Kanpur, these partnerships aim to establish state-of-the-art infrastructure and modern training methodologies, providing a strong foundation for the youth, especially in Uttar Pradesh. The commitment of IIT Kanpur, HAL, and DASSAULT to offer high-quality education in new-age courses in defense and aviation sectors is expected to benefit the cadre associated with IIS significantly.
The primary objective behind establishing IIS is to create world-class skill training centers by adopting best practices from renowned international skill institutions. The courses have been meticulously designed in consultation with subject matter experts from the highly respected institution, IIT Kanpur. These modules will impart knowledge in Industry 4.0 courses such as AI, Machine Learning, Cloud Computing, Data Analytics, Advanced Manufacturing, Smart Agriculture, Robotics, and Automation.
Additionally, a strategic partnership with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will lead to the development of a CNC lab at the new IIS Kanpur building. This initiative, part of HAL’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), aims to offer exposure to advanced CNC machining technology, enhancing the skills of trainees and better preparing them for industrial jobs, in line with the Skill India initiative. This project will also foster improved collaboration between academia and industry, facilitating more effective knowledge sharing.
From an infrastructure perspective, the IIS Kanpur building will include 12 laboratories, 12 classrooms, a multipurpose room, open theater, outdoor training area, conference and discussion rooms, and a cafeteria, all geared towards creating an exceptional learning environment.
Furthermore, the partnership with Dassault Aircraft Services India will introduce a course in Aeronautical Structure and Equipment Fitter (AS&EF) at IIS, offering long-term training in the aviation sector in Kanpur. A Dassault Aviation Centre of Excellence will be established within the IIS building, promoting vocational training in aeronautics.
These collaborations are expected to facilitate strong industry and employer connections, offering state-of-the-art training facilities in IIS and opportunities for on-the-job training with leading industries. Ultimately, these partnerships contribute to the betterment of society by enabling the local ecosystem to adapt to cutting-edge technology. The Government of India has already established IISs in three locations in the country, namely Mumbai, Kanpur, and Ahmedabad. This latest development marks a giant leap forward in preparing India’s youth for a promising future in aerospace and defense industries.
