NEWS October 2011

On 18 October 2011 FORUM International officially launched the project “Modular Vocational Training in Karnataka (MVT)” in Bangalore at the Cabinet Hall of Federation of Karnataka of Chambers of Commerce and Industry ( FKCCI ). More than 30 high level representatives from chambers of commerce, business associations, educational institutes and policy as well as trainers were participating in the conference. With conceptualisation and practical implementation in the area of vocational training the project directly builds upon latest governmental consultations of German Chancellor Merkel and Indian Prime Minister Singh in May this year.
The 2-years project is partly funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development and facilitated by sequa, partner of the German business, and aims at

• Developing skills and offering possibilities for better earnings 
• Promoting vocational training and Training of Trainers in areas demanded by the market 
• Supporting the development of a coherent modular approach to vocational training

Dr. Helmut Riethmüller, Founder and Director of FORUM Berufsbildung e.V., and J. R. Bangera, President of FKCCI, held the opening speeches. Keya Choudhury, Project Leader MVT, presented the 2-year FORUM project.

Rajalakshmi Rajashekar of eMERG, Ramesh Swamy of Unnati and Audrey D’Souza of WeCAN presented their visions for skilling the youth. In another presentation Dr. Helmut Riethmüller showcased LEARN CITY, a network of international training institutions aimed at cooperation in innovation and quality management.

After the presentations, Dr. Helmut Riethmüller signed Memorandums of Understanding between FORUM and the  following partners:

• FKCCI - Federation of Karnataka of Chambers of Commerce and Industry
• eMERG - Engineering Manufacturer Entrepreneurs Resource Group
• Unnati Bangalore
• WeCAN - Women Entrepreneurs Chambers & Associations Network

In the MoUs the framework of cooperation inside the Modular Vocational Training project was set.

In a final speech Shri B.N. Bachche Gowda, Labour Minister of Karnataka, explained the Government of Karnataka initiatives in vocational training and announced increased spending at the conference. He also pledged that Karnataka State Government will train 500.000 youth in various skills to meet the increased demand for skilled workers. As a festive closure to the conference, the Minister distributed certificates of FORUM and eMERG to twelve participants of a FORUM course in Office Administration.