NSDC International and Nippon Travel Agency Partner for India-Japan Collaboration

In a significant step towards strengthening collaboration between India and Japan, NSDC International (NSDCI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nippon Travel Agency Co., Ltd., a global workforce solutions company. The primary goal of this partnership is to raise awareness in the Japanese market about the recruitment of skilled professionals from various sectors in India. This joint effort aims to address the increasing demand for diverse talent in Japan and streamline the recruitment process. The official signing ceremony of this noteworthy agreement took place between Mr. Ajay Kumar Raina, Director & Chief Operating Officer of NSDCI, and Mr. Keigo Yoshida, Executive Officer & Chief of Headquarters at Nippon Travel Agency

Speaking on this initiative, Mr. Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO, NSDC & MD NSDC International, said, "Our partnership with Nippon Travel marks a significant milestone towards fostering closer ties between India and Japan. Recognizing the vital role language plays in cross-cultural understanding, we will actively support and promote Japanese language training in India. By addressing the importance of linguistic skills, we aim to enhance communication and collaboration between professionals from both nations. This initiative is a testament to our shared vision and commitment to excellence, underscoring our resolve to contribute to the economic and cultural growth of both countries".

Mr. Keigo Yoshida, Executive Officer & Chief of Headquarters at Nippon Travel Agency, expressed “This partnership will facilitate economic and cultural bridges between the two countries and further enrich Japan’s diverse labour market. We look forward to welcoming India’s hard-working and talented human resources to contribute to Japanese society and grow together. We look forward to further deepening the friendship between Japan and India”.

NSDC International and Nippon Travel Agency have collaborated to facilitate the recruitment of skilled Indian professionals, catering to the specific needs of Japanese businesses. This collaborative initiative aims to address the talent gap and promote increased workforce mobility. Additionally, NSDCI and Nippon Travel will coordinate joint seminars and workshops in both India and Japan. These sessions will concentrate on skill development, workforce mobility, and related topics, fostering the exchange of knowledge and promoting collaboration.

India and Japan have collaborated on various skill development initiatives, such as the India-Japan Skill Development Council, which promotes cooperation in vocational education, training, and human resource development. In 2016, the nations signed the “Manufacturing Skill Transfer Promotion Programme” agreement for training 30,000 persons over 10 years with Japanese-style manufacturing skills and practices. Thirty-five Japan-India Institutes for Manufacturing (JIM) and 11 Japanese Endowed Courses (JEC) have been established in different states across India.

In 2017, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) was signed to notably enhance bilateral cooperation between India and Japan in the field of skill development. Within this program, chosen candidates from India participate in internships in Japan lasting three to five years. Subsequently, these individuals are mandated to return to India and apply the skills they acquired during their time in Japan.

Similarly, ‘Specified Skilled Worker’ was introduced by the Government of Japan in April 2019, under which aspiring Indian youth can take up a job and stay in Japan. Japan introduced ‘Specified Skilled Worker’ to address the severe labour shortages in Japan by accepting foreign human resources with specific expertise and skills. As of July 2022, Japan has signed the SSW Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with 15 nations including India. India and Japan signed a Memorandum of Cooperation in January 2021 for the implementation of ‘Specified Skilled Worker’ between India and Japan.

As a wholly-owned subsidiary of NSDC, NSDC International plays a crucial role in skill development and training across various sectors, such as textile, healthcare, construction, hospitality, and railways. The aim is to promote employment opportunities and drive economic growth. The collaborative efforts between India and Japan in skill development span a wide range of sectors and go beyond national borders. Both countries share a common goal of fostering international mobility as a key element of their partnership. This shared vision is based on the strong belief that a globally competent workforce is essential for addressing the challenges and seizing the opportunities of the 21st century.