Niti Aayog's Dr V K Paul Stresses on Expanding Skilling Initiatives Beyond Traditional Medical Education

Chandigarh: At a time when India's care sector is at a crucial juncture, requiring a strengthened workforce to meet both national and global demands, a summit titled ''Transforming the future of the skilled workforce in the care sector'' has been held in Chandigarh, February 15, 2025. 

The summit was organized by National Skill Development Corporation International, with Member (Health), NITI Aayog, Dr VK Paul gracing the occasion as Chief Guest. The summit witnessed participation of Vice Chancellors of 50 institutions and around dozen AIIMS chiefs, working towards a stronger healthcare ecosystem.

Addressing the summit, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, Dr. V.K. Paul emphasized the need to expand skilling initiatives beyond traditional medical education, balancing quality with quantity. He highlighted the importance of evolving curricula, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and scaling up skill-based training programs to address workforce shortages, including in specialized areas such as geriatric care. He spoke of the important role to be played by the private sector and said that private sector collaboration is essential to bridge the skill gap.

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“Structured skilling can help equip our workforce with expertise required to meet international standards”

The Member said that with structured policies and strong industry-academia partnerships, India can enhance its healthcare skilling ecosystem and emerge as a key contributor to the global workforce. “India's healthcare workforce is a critical asset to both the nation and the world. With increasing global demand for skilled professionals, structured skilling initiatives play a pivotal role in equipping our workforce with the expertise required to meet international standards.”

Dr. Paul said that NSDC International is playing a pivotal role in this effort, ensuring care professionals trained in India are globally employable. “The efforts of NSDC International in developing a highly trained Care talent pool have significantly contributed to this vision, enabling professionals to excel in diverse healthcare environments. By strengthening skill development and placement pathways, we are not only addressing workforce requirements domestically but also enhancing India's position as a trusted provider of skilled care professionals across the globe."

“NSDC International aims to position India as a trusted provider of skilled care professionals”

CEO, NSDC International, Shri Alok Kumar said that India has the potential to bridge the supply-demand gap for care professionals. "With a projected global shortage of 15 million Caregivers by 2030, the demand for skilled professionals is at an all-time high. Countries like Germany, Japan, and Canada have increased their intake of international Caregivers by over 30% in the last two years alone. India, with its young and skilled workforce, has the potential to bridge this gap. At NSDC International, we are committed to developing a globally competent caregiver workforce by aligning skilling programs with international accreditation, streamlining certification processes, and integrating cultural adaptability training. By fostering strategic global partnerships, we aim to position India as a trusted provider of skilled care professionals, creating dignified employment opportunities while strengthening global healthcare systems.”

The summit fostered meaningful discussions on policy recommendations and strategic initiatives aimed at building a sustainable and future-ready care-giver workforce. A key highlight was the dialogue between Vice Chancellors and Directors of leading healthcare institutions, exploring the pivotal role of education in bridging the healthcare worker gap. By strengthening collaboration between academia, industry, and policymakers, the summit set the stage for innovative solutions that will enhance skilling, workforce mobility, and India's contribution to the global healthcare ecosystem.

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