Chandigarh, February 17, 2025 – India’s care sector is at a critical juncture, requiring a strong workforce to meet both national and global demands. Speaking at the summit on ‘ Transforming the Future of the Skilled Workforce in the Care Sector ’ organized by NSDC International in Chandigarh, Shri VK Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog emphasized the need to expand skilling initiatives beyond traditional medical education and strike a balance between quality and quantity.
Talking about skilling initiatives, Mr. Paul said that NSDC International is playing a vital role in this endeavor, ensuring that care professionals trained in India are globally employable. He highlighted the importance of developing a curriculum, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and scaling up skill-based training programs to address workforce shortages, including in specialized areas such as geriatric care. “ Private sector support is essential to bridge the skill gap. With structured policies and strong industry-academia partnerships, India can grow its healthcare skilling ecosystem and emerge as a major contributor to the global workforce,” he added.
The summit was attended by vice-chancellors of 50 institutions and about a dozen AIIMS chiefs working towards a strong healthcare ecosystem.
Mr. Paul further added , “ India’s healthcare workforce is a vital asset for both the nation and the world. With the growing global demand for skilled professionals , structured skilling initiatives play a vital role in equipping our workforce with the expertise required to meet international standards. NSDC International’s efforts in developing a highly trained care talent pool have contributed significantly to this vision , enabling professionals to excel in diverse healthcare environments. By strengthening skill development and placement pathways , we are not only meeting workforce requirements domestically , but also reinforcing India’s position as a trusted provider of skilled care professionals across the globe.”
Speaking on this , Alok Kumar, CEO, NSDC International said , “ With a projected global shortage of 15 million caregivers by 2030 , the demand for skilled professionals is at an all-time high. Countries such as Germany , Japan and Canada have seen the number of international caregivers grow 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 programmes with international recognition , streamlining certification processes and integrating cultural adaptability training. By fostering strategic global partnerships , we aim to establish India as a trusted provider of skilled care professionals , creating dignified employment opportunities while strengthening the global healthcare system.”
The summit witnessed meaningful discussions on policy recommendations and strategic initiatives aimed at building a sustainable and future-ready caregiver workforce. A major highlight was a dialogue between vice-chancellors and directors of leading healthcare institutions, which discussed the critical role of education in bridging the shortage of healthcare workers. 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.