11.02.11

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CHRIS SIMS

Manipal-City & Guilds Joint Policy Advisory Group

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15 September 2011

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A Global Study to get India World-ready:Building sector skills bodies for India

CHRIS SIMS

Manipal-City & Guilds Joint Policy Advisory Group

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OVERVIEW

INTERNATIONAL LESSONS

RECOMMENDATIONS

CONCLUSION

1

2

3

4

AGENDA

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Overview

• Aim of research is to use international best practice to develop evidence-based recommendations for the development of sector skills bodies in India.

• Commissioned by Manipal-City & Guilds as an independent piece of research.

• Conducted by the Research Base, a London-based agency with research experience in the Indian skills system.

Aim and Method

• Use the current state of affairs in India and the current system capacity as a basis for research and recommendations.

• Examine the national skills systems of six countries with special reference to the sector body system.

• Develop India-specific recommendations.

• Offer a fresh, research-based perspective and a useful reference tool for Indian policy makers and stakeholders.

OVERVIEW

Research Background

COUNTRIES STUDIED

• Australia

• Canada

• England

• The Netherlands

• New Zealand

• South Africa

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AUSTRALIA

Positive lessons

• Value of ‘Training Package’ concept.

• Direct relationship between sector bodies and national quality organisation.

Possible pitfalls

• Incompatibility of state/national structures.

• Overly broad sector body remit.

CANADA

Positive lessons

• Flexible sector body structure, with roles adapted for needs of different sectors.

Possible pitfalls

• Lack of comparison/communication between sector bodies due to divergent remits.

• Lack of compulsory quality standards has meant a lack of nationally transferable skills.

INTERNATIONAL LESSONS

Country Overviews

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ENGLAND

Positive lessons

• ‘Light touch’ regulation of successful sector bodies.

• Early lessons from National Skills Academies.

Possible pitfalls

• Core funding insufficient for broad remit.

• Sector bodies sit within a complex, bureaucratic system.

THE NETHERLANDS

Positive lessons

• Directing funding for training through sector bodies ensures employer engagement.

• 20% of national curricula can be adapted according to local needs.

• Training providers and employees, as well as employers, are key within sector bodies.

Possible pitfalls

• Education providers are thought to have too much influence.

• Levy funds have been underutilised.

INTERNATIONAL LESSONS

Country Overviews

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NEW ZEALAND

Positive lessons

• System characterised by clarity of structure/remits and low levels of bureaucracy.

• Achievement of tripartite responsibility despite lack of historic social contract model.

Possible pitfalls

• New Zealand’s small scale may limit its transferability to India.

SOUTH AFRICA

Positive lessons

• Good balance of representation (policy, professional bodies, trades unions etc).

• Inclusion of national policy objectives, e.g. basic skills & excluded groups*.

Possible pitfalls

• Competing/conflicting expectations and policy mandates.

• Frequent lack of ownership, effective governance and delivery.

* Arguably at exclusion of industry objectives.

INTERNATIONAL LESSONS

Country Overviews

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Clarity of remit and purpose

• The remit of sector bodies should be established clearly in terms of purpose, output and activities, limits of authority, reporting guidelines and relationships with other bodies in the skills system

• A tripartite nature should be encouraged; equitable, collaborative relationships between industry, policy and providers at state level are highly effective.

Detailed planning

• Planning information should be publicly available to encourage input and collaboration.

• The current level of detail and due diligence planning for SSCs (by the NSDC) is exacting yet not overburdened by bureaucracy; this should be the model adopted widely.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Sector Bodies in India: Establishment

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Deep, vertical structure

• Sector bodies should be replicated at state and local levels; this will ensure clear transmission of messages and procedures and minimise broad bureaucracy.

• Will enable national and state/regional priorities to be pursued equally.

Collaboration

• Horizontal channels of communication should operate at state level to encourage cross-sectoral cooperation.

• State chapters should incorporate and encourage participation from key stakeholders, including employers and practitioners.

Governance

• Sector body boards should reflect equity of representation between stakeholder groups.

• Sector bodies should be overseen by an independent public body, or an umbrella organisation to minimise the risk of government dominance.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Sector Bodies in India: Structure

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• Producing regular Sector Intelligence Reports which adhere to a common format and indicate recommendations for stakeholders in the sector.

• Working with industry to set National Occupational Standards and manage any changes to them.

• Working with industry to develop qualifications for submission to the national regulator and registration on the national qualifications framework.

• Recruiting and auditing employer organisations for traineeships and work placements.

• Channelling funding for work placements and grants for workplace learning.

• Collecting an employer levy and redistributing funds; the levy should occur on a sectoral needs-only basis rather than as national policy.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Sector Bodies in India: Remit

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Public funding

• Sector bodies should be funded federally and cascaded down through the vertical organisational structures.

Performance based funding

• Funding should be based on the submission of business plans and audit by an external agency.

• Future funding should also be based on achievements, e.g. the number of standards or qualifications developed.

Funding responsibilities

• Employer training levies are an option, but they must be driven by employers within a sector.

• Sector bodies should be responsible for the channelling of a proportion of funding for training placements and workplace learning.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Sector Bodies in India: Funding

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External quality assurance

• The quality of standards and qualifications developed by sector bodies should be assessed and approved by the national regulator.

• The performance of sector bodies can be audited semi-regularly by an independent external quality assurance body.

Transparent reporting

• Annual business plans should be submitted to the overarching umbrella organisation and the NSDC for approval; further funding should be contingent on success criteria.

• The information gathered by sector bodies should be transparent and publicly available.

Feedback mechanisms

• The national umbrella body should enable consultation and feedback with key stakeholders (industry, training providers) to ensure that sector bodies are performing according to need and expectation.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Sector Bodies in India: Quality Assurance

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RECOMMENDATIONS

1A central list of initiatives in skill development.

2Occupational Standards for a select number of industries.

3A single establishment body for implementation of the NVQF.

4Indian needs as principle driver of international involvement.

5Promotion of the benefits of achieving qualifications.

6Rationalisation of agency responsibilities & activities.

7Clearer communication and reporting mechanisms.

System Development

Thank You

• For a copy of the summary report, please visit the Manipal-City & Guilds stand in the exhibition

• To download the full report, please visit www.manipalcityandguilds.com