IndiaCan to provide vocational training

Updated on: Thursday, November 26, 2009

Mumbai: IndiaCan the Pearson-Educomp combine set up with the intent of providing vocational training in India was launched on November 26, 2009- with the unveiling of its new name and two partnerships. The two companies in a joint venture will target one of the country’s biggest opportunities training young people.

As its economy grows, experts say India will require a workforce of 500m within the next decade. The JV, already known as I-CAN, adopted its snappy new name at a brief ceremony today attended by Marjorie Scardino, CEO of Pearson, and her counterpart at Educomp, Shantanu Prakash.

In the CII partnership, due to be sealed soon, IndiaCan would deliver training to a certification programme designed by Edexcel, the accreditation and certification unit of Pearson. With CII’s endorsement, the programme would boast an unmatched credibility in India.

The aim is not only to improve skills but also to upgrade the capability of trainers and assessors, topped off with qualifications from Edexcel, the UK’s largest awarding body for academic and vocational qualifications. The qualification is based on Edexcel’s popular BTEC vocational framework, one of the most popular routes to education attainment in the UK and elsewhere.

CII hopes that the qualification will standardise assessment and training practices across the country and bring them on par with international standards.

In the second deal, IndiaCan will train 2,000 TranSmart employees contractors from all across India over three years to international standards and certification benchmark, also preparing them for a BTEC qualification which will position TranSmart as a quality and productivity leader in the logistics industry.

Sharad Talwar, CEO IndiaCan, said, "Educomp and its JV partner Pearson will provide training and certification on a par with the best globally. That's exciting because in the process we'll be creating a globally mobile workforce."

Bhairavi Jani, CEO TranSmart, said, “For inclusive growth it will be imperative that we empower people from disadvantaged socio-economic background, with skills relevant for jobs of the 21st century.”

IndiaCan plans a national network of more than 600 vocational training centres, focusing on jobs across segments such as finance, retail, IT and insurance. The JV’s focus will be on delivering training in tier two and three cities.

IndiaCan to provide vocational training

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