MSDE and Australian Government explore advanced health workforce training pathways

With increased focus to meet the demand for skilled workforce globally, Secretary MSDE highlighted that the assessment cost is one of the key areas which needs to be addressed by Australia and fast-track the process of citizenship for these health sector workers in Australia

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) in collaboration with the Australian Government, hosted a roundtable on “Enhancing Health Workforce Training and Skill Pathways” on August 21, 2023, in New Delhi. The event saw the participation of Mark Butler MP, Minister for Health and Aged Care, Government of Australia alongside Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India.

Tiwari shared the current developments within the skill ecosystem where the National Education Policy of 2021 created a National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) to provide harmonisation between education and skills and ensure horizontal and vertical mobility of students. Further, he highlighted the situation of global shortage in healthcare sector for qualified professionals and how India is ready is to address this issue with skilling in India along with PM Modi’s recent approval of setting up of 157 new nursing colleges in India.

With increased focus to meet the demand for skilled workforce globally, Secretary MSDE highlighted that the assessment cost is one of the key areas which needs to be addressed by Australia and fast-track the process of citizenship for these health sector workers in Australia. For an enhanced and better cooperation, he emphasized for developing a scholarship program for training and learning of Indian workforce in Australia.

Secretary, MSDE, emphasised the significance of nurturing this crucial partnership through enhanced collaboration in skill development. This collaboration would entail content sharing, removal of barriers hindering international mobility, and streamlining the associated time and cost for skilled Indian professionals.

Butler congratulated India on its highly effective G20 presidency and underscored India’s pivotal role in driving global progress. He quoted that for every 25 persons, 1 is Indian in Australia as on date and thus Indian Diaspora has become quite an integral part for Australian economy. He mentioned that with recent visits of PMs of both the nations to each country and other ministerial visits, the bilateral relationships between both the countries have attained new heights. He highlighted the situation of prevailing shortage of healthcare professionals in Australia and confirmed his commitment to overcome the barriers to ensure for a better and increased mobility of Indian Healthcare professionals to Australia.

He congratulated the Secretary, MSDE, for producing good, qualified professionals in Health Sector, but also shared his concern for the situation faced by Australia after COVID-19 pandemic and thus a necessity for preparedness in Health Sector for any upcoming situation like COVID-19 pandemic in the upcoming future as well. Keeping this in mind, he requested Secretary MSDE for more skilled workforce in health sector to meet the Australian health sector demand.

During the roundtable, comprehensive strategies were discussed aiming to transform ideas into actionable outcomes. These strategies included a cost-efficient testing model with expense reimbursement for international mobility, a dual language assessment approach, streamlined regulatory procedures for skill migration, a UK-Ireland-like approach to experience requirements, mapping of job roles with Australia for harmonisation of skills, customised and tailored courses as per the need and requirement of the Australian health sector market & demand, importance of recognition of qualifications of Indian Workforce in Australia, eased out process for visa, reduced cost of assessment by Australia and exploring market-driven incentives for recruitment agencies. This focused discourse reflects the commitment to enhance health workforce training and skill pathways, making the roundtable a pivotal platform for collaborative progress.