Workshop on upskilling and creating an inclusive digital economy organized

New Delhi, INDIA (ILO News): The EU-India Digital Policy Dialogue in collaboration with EU-India Cooperation and Dialogue on Migration and Mobility (Phase II) organized a stakeholder workshop focusing on upskilling and creating work opportunities for a resilient and inclusive digital economy.

The workshop brought together senior officials from the EU Delegation to India and Bhutan, DG Home, DC CNECT, NCVET and NIELIT. It provided an opportunity for stakeholders to understand the important work being done under the Digital Policy Dialogue and the Cooperation and Dialogue on Migration and Mobility projects. It also explored the intersection of skills and mobility and foster knowledge sharing and peer learning in the emergent domain of digital skills.

The workshop was inaugurated by Dr Ewa Suwara, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to India and Bhutan and Dr Madan Mohan Tripathi, Director General, NIELIT. Senior officials from the EU Commission, Ms Rehana Schwinniger-Ladak (Head of Unit, DG CNECT) and Mr Marco Funk (International Relations Officer, International Affairs Unit, DG Home) set the context for the workshop. Dr Nirmaljeet Kalsi, former Chairperson of the National Council on Vocational Education and Training delivered the keynote address.

The first session focussed on an in-depth discussion of digital skilling initiatives including presentations on: 

1. National digital skilling initiatives with a focus on the semiconductor sector and cross recognition of qualification agreements with other countries: Dr. Jayanta Singh Yumnam, Executive Director NIELIT, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
2. Mapping of Digital Skills with India: Ms. Feli Visco, Senior Policy Advisor EU India Digital Policy Dialogue 
3. Use case from the higher education sector: Mr. Léo Saint-Martin, Project Manager European Chips Skills Academy 
4. Skills Initiatives: Dr. Ankit Pal, Director Strategy and Public Affairs, NXP Semiconductors

The second session looked at mobility in the Information & Communications Technology sector in the EU-India Corridor with interventions highlighting:

1. ‘Exploring Potential Skilled Labour Migration Linkages in the ICT Sector in the EU-India – Presentation of background paper: Ms. Radhika Sunger, National Project Coordinator (ILO) & Dr. Surabhi Singh, Liaison Officer for India
2. Successful digital skills and mobility initiative: Mr. Margus Solnson, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Estonia
3. Skills Initiatives: Mr. Ashish Trivedi, Principial Consultant, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)