India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) has signed an implementation plan with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to support skills development in India’s shipbuilding and marine sectors. The agreement, signed on 2 April 2026, focuses on workforce mapping, skills assessment and long‑term training strategies aimed at strengthening the country’s maritime workforce and industrial competitiveness. The initiative aligns with the government’s Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 and broader efforts to expand India’s maritime capabilities.
According to the official announcement, the collaboration will support research and strategic planning to develop a skilled talent pipeline for shipbuilding and marine engineering. The project, titled “Supporting the Establishment of Foundations and Development Strategies for Fostering Skilled and Professional Human Resources in India’s Shipbuilding and Marine Sector”, positions workforce development as a key component of India’s maritime growth strategy.
Research and workforce mapping to guide skills planning
Under the initiative, KOICA will work with the Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training and other stakeholders to conduct detailed research on India’s shipbuilding and marine engineering industries. The study will examine workforce needs, identify skill gaps and support the creation of a structured master plan for human resource development in the sector.
The research will inform a practical implementation roadmap for skills training programmes tailored to the needs of shipyards, marine engineering firms and associated maritime industries. This approach reflects broader national efforts to strengthen technical capability and workforce readiness, similar to initiatives highlighted in India’s push to build skills and infrastructure for a future‑ready workforce.
Bilateral cooperation to support maritime workforce development
As part of the collaboration, India and the Republic of Korea plan to organise a series of bilateral workshops on workforce development. These sessions will bring together policymakers, industry representatives and academic experts to exchange best practices and explore ways to strengthen technical training in the maritime sector.
By drawing on Korea’s experience in advanced shipbuilding and vocational education, the programme aims to improve institutional capacity and support the design of specialised training initiatives. Such cooperation is intended to help ensure that India’s maritime workforce can meet the demands of an evolving global shipping and shipbuilding market.
Proposed training centre to support industry‑aligned skills
Discussions are also in their final stages on establishing a Shipbuilding Workforce Development and Technology Cooperation Center in India. The proposed centre would provide industry‑oriented vocational training, enhance technical capabilities and support productivity improvements across the shipbuilding ecosystem.
The facility is expected to deliver advanced skills programmes tailored to industry needs while strengthening collaboration between government, training institutions and maritime companies. These efforts align with India’s broader policy focus on education and workforce development, including initiatives such as digitalising educational books to expand access to learning resources.
Through international cooperation and targeted workforce planning, the initiative aims to strengthen India’s shipbuilding ecosystem and support the country’s long‑term ambition to expand its role in global maritime services.
